Seeing Mary

Dalton Family #.5

by Sarah Adams

One gaze across the ballroom changed my life forever.

Lady Mary Ashburn intends to end her Season in London the same way she has ended her past four Seasons—as a single independent woman. If it weren't for her determination to help her friend make a match, she wouldn't be in London at all. Spending the rest of her days as a spinster sounds vastly more enjoyable than having her heart ripped out and humiliated like it was during her first Season. Risking that fate a second time is not worth opening her heart up to anyone.

At least, that’s how she feels before the mysterious earl, Lord Robert Hatley, arrives in London and fills her life with a romance like she’s never known before. Torn between her growing feelings for Robert and her fear that his intentions might not be true, she must decide if she is willing to risk her heart again.

Her choice only gets more difficult to make when her first love reappears with a changed heart and a determination to win her trust and affection again. Finally receiving love from the man she could never quite let go of could not have come at a worse time.

Mary must choose between three different paths, each one at a cost that she fears will be too great.

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

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2019

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little story! From the first words I was hooked! I liked her other book To Con a Gentleman a lot too. Lots of the same feels! Yay a new author to love:} Robert is intense and knows what he wants but has that bit of mystery that just gets me. This is a simple love story with two good characters that just had me falling in love with them. This is a proper regency with an amazing kiss:}

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be the best novella I have ever read. Normally, I feel that novellas always leave you feeling as if you need a lot more but THIS one did not. It was fully developed, full of emotion that keeps drawing you in, and giving you exactly what you wanted when you started reading this delicious novella in the first place.

[Carina Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was ridiculously happy when I found out Sarah Adams was writing Mary and Robert's story! I loved both of them in To Con A Gentleman.
Seeing Mary was a sweet story of seeing past the outer (titles/money) and loving the person beneath all of that. Robert is funny and sweet, and Mary made me laugh when she was sure she had Robert figured out in the beginning. ;) I loved her best friend and that she was actually a GOOD friend who looked out for Mary.
I was sad when I finished the book! Now I really hope a lot of these characters make an appearance in future books... :)

[Chesney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute novella. Would have loved Robert’s perspective. Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming little novella.

I read the first two books in this series first, and have been wanting to read Mary's story for awhile now. I liked Mary and Robert and seeing how they first met and came together. I think this would have made a great full-length novel. I thought it was well written though, had a nice flow to it and really drew me in. Sure, some aspects are a little quick, but I'll give it a pass since it's just a short story. Ms. Adams has a gift for writing regencies, I can't wait for her to write more.

Content Rated G
Romance: Kissing
Language: None
Violence: None

Dalton Family Series

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!
I loved this novella. The reason it is .5 stars below 5 is because I want it to be longer! The beginning was so great! I loved how Lord Hatley was so honest straight from the start. So refreshing! But I wanted the ending to be a little bit longer. It wrapped up a little too quickly. Can't wait to read the next book, To Con a Gentleman! Quick, clean, sweet, regency romance! Highly recommend.

[Dee/ bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ended up buying this one! I completely loved it!!

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Mary is a duke’s daughter who’s become jaded after dealing with suitors who pursue her for her dowry and a connection to her father. While accompanying a friend around London for the season, she catches the eye of a lord. That same lord is invited to her friend’s house party where they strike up an acquaintance.

I didn’t care for Mary’s wishy-washy thoughts about her old suitor, Lord Ashton. I believe in forgiveness, but not in giving a man a second chance to abuse you and mess with your heart. I wish she’d rejected him immediately and stayed focused on Lord Hartley.

I enjoyed the moments Lady Mary and Lord Hartley spent together. I would have liked to read a few more pages of them interacting.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, short read. I wish it had been a full novel, rather than a novella, because there were many parts that didn't feel fleshed out enough, or parts where we were told certain things (like, that the love interest is reserved with everyone he doesn't know well) but weren't really shown.

Overall, though, it was enjoyable to read and I'm excited to try a full novel by this author.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So basically, Mary is the daughter of a duke who is extremely tired of men pursuing her for her money rather than herself. She had her heart broken in the past and doesn’t trust men. But then she meets Robert who seems different. He seems to see her rather than her money. The story runs along the lines of her learning that there are some trustworthy men. The hero is infinitely patient with her, and I’m just glad this was a novella rather than a novel because, even with how short it was, her feet dragging became a little tiring. The dialog has a more modern feel, but it’s a cute, fun, light little story.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this before I read To Con a Gentleman! I loved Mary and Robert’s relationship in the book, and would have loved to read how their love story started first. But I still loved it all the same...now I just want to re-read To Con a Gentleman and see them with their backstory in mind. :)

This is a novella, but the author fit in enough to not make it feel rushed. Loved it!!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this sweet Regency tale with underlying themes of trust and self-worth. Although I read it in one evening, the story did not feel rushed and had a very satisfactory conclusion. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not terribly polished, but I enjoyed the story.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The humor was great and even in such a short novella I felt their connection<3

3.25 stars

[Chasya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this author.

I enjoyed this book, but i will say that the next one in the series is my favorite!! I really like this author, please write more books!! :)

[vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2nd time read: yeah I still don’t like Mary.

I didn’t like Mary in the other books and it’s safe to say that I didn’t like her in her story either. Although she felt like she wasn’t good enough because of what her ex did, she was stupid to ever consider her ex again. He had an affair and only wanted her for her money and family connections. But he showed up, asked for a second chance to show her he always loved her??? Shut the f up. He cheated on her minutes after he told her she was it for him and Mary couldn’t tell him to go fuck himself?!!! Instead she gave him a chance ?? Grow a brain Mary!!? Glad she ended up with Robert and not her ex but she still needs to get smacked in the head for ever considering giving her ex a chance to make her look like a fool again because newsflash he was going to hookup with a maid when she walked in on him the day after he told her that. Also, she told Robert she loved him after having like 5 conversations with him at the most?? The fact Robert was on his way to ask for her father’s blessing when she rode out to catch up with him. He also wasn’t bothered that she considered her ex simply because he always had faith in Mary and him. I wish we got his pov !!

Also, knowing what I know now about Vienna and having read about her life in Lizzie’s book where she makes a cameo… I felt so bad for her. She definitely deserved to find love again and I wish the author could write her a happy ever after.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Adams is definitely becoming a must read author for me. Seeing Mary was such a cute novella; I loved getting the back story of Mary whom I was first exposed to in To Con a Gentleman. The writing is well done, characters are well developed and like-able, there is humor, and the "feels" are present. My only complaint is the story ended too soon, but alas, it is a novella so I'll be grateful to have learned Mary and Robert's story at all. :) I give this 4.5 stars, definitely recommend it, and can't wait to see what this author writes next.

[Louie Halfacre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable

I'm afraid this book failed to hold my interest after 30%. I'm also amazed how they portray women when they see a man who interests them. Knees weak, stomach fluttering, continually looking for the man without being obvious etc. is the usual. And the man stares the women in the eye and won't look away. Of course he always seems to show up wherever she happens to be. Today that's called stalking and harassment but then it was ok. At that point I left this book and looked for one by Georgette Heyer.

[Tayo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Novellas are tricky because you have to develop a story without the page count to take your time with it - tricky but not impossible. This story just felt far too rushed for me and could have used 30 more pages or at least one less plot point. The plot of Andrew coming back could possibly have been dropped for the sake of developing the main romance further./spoiler>

[Courtney | Soul of a Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My goodness, the chemistry between Mary and Robert is on point. There were a few moments when I wanted to shake Mary, but that felt pretty on brand for her. 😂

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving it a two because I read the second one first or it would be a one.
I was so disappointed. Mary seemed a full person with intelligence in the second book though she was a side character.
In this one, Lady Mary is discouraged during her first season when she realized everyone wanted her for her money and wasn't really interested in her. But she declares her love for Andrew after an acquaintance of a few days based on what? His looks? Charm? Seems just as superficial as the money thing but oh well. Then there is some scandal but it wasn't spelled out. He asks for her hand in a dark garden. She goes back in first and waits. And waits and waits. Then he comes in grinning with another woman and her female companion and Lady Mary's friend is shooting daggers with her eyes. Why?
Then four years later Mary still hasn't gotten over it but meets Robert. Robert is understated and not interested in her money or the courting games. Something could blossom but Andrew shows up again saying he's older and wiser. She's thinking she should give Andrew another chance....all this is told in the first person by the way which makes Lady Mary seem even dimmer.
Ultimately she chooses Robert, even getting a horse and chasing down his carriage. Seriously? Not to mention that she has only known Robert for a few days...he was on his way to speak to her father because he knew she was too smart to pick Andrew by the way. Glad he knew it because I didn't. So glad I didn't read this first or I would have missed the second one which I gave four stars.

[Larissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an extremely short novella following a week(ish?) in the life of Mary, the wary daughter of a duke, as she falls for Robert, a "mysterious" earl who sweeps her off her feet.

Kindle Unlimited novellas are probably not the way I should go but I was bored and it was a quick read. I had the usual problem which I have with novellas but at a greater magnitude, the characters had no substance. The earl was supposed to be mysterious, which is an annoying enough trope on its own, but he wasn't even mysterious he was just a basic guy. Her tragic backstory wasn't tragic at all and her hurt felt so weird and fake. Their love story? No chemistry, no build-up, nothing that made it all that interesting at all.

I also don't know how it's a novella that's an introduction to the series because why wouldn't they get their own full-length? It doesn't seem as though the characters in the next book are more important or more deserving of a full-length novel. It's all confusing and felt cheap and just pointless. I usually don't finish books that I think deserve 1 star but it was so short that I finished it just cause it was faster than not doing so.

This review and all my others can be found at: https://aworldshapedbybooks.blogspot....

[JANET SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Short Story

Enjoyable first story by this author, which was well written and the cover was eye catching which makes a nice change from the usual. Lady Mary a 25 year old woman who had her heart 'broken' in her first season by a 'cad' and endured further seasons because of her friend Vienna, but didn't hold her breath in finding someone she could truly love, then she met Robert Lord Hatley and Mary began to question her feelings, the cad turns up again, and he smugly feels he can win Mary's affections again, which made for a tense 'will she, won't she' moment, but obviously in the 4 years since her 'heart break' Mary had become quite astute and 'hardened' and a happy ending was assured.
I would thoroughly recommend this book, and I look forward to the continuing family saga.

[Christiane Robillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching & Endearing

Really liked this novella. It was touching and moving … I felt moved by the pain and humiliation felt by Mary when her betrothed betrayed and abandoned her. The storyline, although not terribly original, was nevertheless well written with interesting characters. There was not a great deal of background on the different characters, presumably because it was a shorter story. The dialogue was interesting and enjoyable, especially as the story was written in the first person, which is unusual. I enjoyed the humour and the emotional content throughout the book. There were several typos and grammatical errors (Mary and me, instead of Mary and I) but as this error is prevalent in almost all books, I assume it must be an “American” thing. In spite of this, I enjoyed this book; it was a great read.

[Leslie Books and Socks Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary, daughter of a duke, isn't a fainting debutante. After heartache from her first season four years ago, she can spot a suitor out for her money and position a mile away. All she wants is to be loved for who she is, never mind who her father is.

At a ball, which she detests, she feels as though she's being watched and her friend tells her the pair of eyes belong to Lord Hatley. His surprise into society has rumors and questions floating on air.

The next time she see him, he has the audacity to insult her! Instead of anger, she's curious. This is a sweet novella. I loved with Mary and Robert were together. I gave it a 4 star only because the Andrew thing didn't feel like a hook to question how it would end.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was delightful to read the backstory of two secondary characters I had admired so much in To Con a Gentleman, Book 1 in the Dalton Family series. My only wish is that Seeing Mary was a full novel that included the entire Dalton family. I became rather attached to them all, honestly, and their absence was noticeable. It was still wonderful to see the progression of the hero and heroine's relationship; their connection and trust, even in these early days, was so lovely to experience, particularly from a first-person perspective. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series when I can catch up with the rest of the honorable and strong-willed Dalton family.

[Μαρία Ν. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary and Lord Hatley made me swoon so much.I really liked that they were so friendly towards each other and them teasing one another was so cute!As for Andrew I could see his change was fake from miles away as well as him turning out to be a philanderer was no surprise.In my opinion if Andrew never returned,the story would have been better as it was obvious from the start with whom Mary would end up with.Andrew caused such unnecessary drama.I would so much preferred the chapters talking about Andrew had been about Lord Hatley.As for Vienna,I found her such a good friend and I loved her attitude.I wish we get a sequel about her.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

This is such an enjoyable series. I read Lady Mary's novella last but it was nice to know more about how her happily ever after started out.
Book one is such an unexpected love story with plenty of emotion and heartbreak.
Book 2 was frustrating when I started because of the whole H and h are in love but won't be together! However, the author convinced me that there were real and compelling reasons for them to stay apart. I applaud the masterful story weaving and the tension that builds but stays on the sweet side of things.
I want a story about Vienna! Any chances??

[ضحى الحداد · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars
I don't know what I just read but it was a mess

Mary is the daughter of a Duke and she has given up on maryong anybody because all men wants her because of her money, specially her ex Andrew, but then Lord Robert Hatley looks at her and for some reason he is different, but Andrew is back and he wants to get back with her and she wants to give him a chance
I have to give her friend Vienna an honorable mention because I like her name, every single chatacter was so robotic it feels like it was written by a 13 years old .. I usually like Sarah Adams writing style so lets see the series