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Mr. Malcolm's List
It is a truth universally acknowledged that an arrogant bachelor insistent on a wife who meets the strictest of requirements--deserves his comeuppance.
The Honorable Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife. He's determined to elude the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. But after years of searching, he's beginning to despair of finding this paragon. And then Selina Dalton arrives in town…
Selina, a vicar's daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, is thrilled when her friend Julia invites her to London. Until she learns it's part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm. Selina is reluctant to participate in Julia's scheme, especially after meeting the irresistible Mr. Malcolm, who seems very different from the arrogant scoundrel of Julia's description.
But when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has qualifications of her own. And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind...Mr. Malcolm's List.
The Honorable Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife. He's determined to elude the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. But after years of searching, he's beginning to despair of finding this paragon. And then Selina Dalton arrives in town…
Selina, a vicar's daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, is thrilled when her friend Julia invites her to London. Until she learns it's part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm. Selina is reluctant to participate in Julia's scheme, especially after meeting the irresistible Mr. Malcolm, who seems very different from the arrogant scoundrel of Julia's description.
But when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has qualifications of her own. And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind...Mr. Malcolm's List.
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,584 reviews
July 28, 2024
Fun story but with a somewhat unlikeable hero.
The reviews I'd read mentioned a lot of the problems with the book, so I didn't go into it with any unrealistic expectations. I read it anyway because the plot looked like it would be right up my alley - and it was! I'm not sorry I read (listened) to this one at all.
AND I would most definitely read something by Suzanne Allain again.
The gist is that Julia, an obnoxiously spoiled young woman, bullies her friend, Selina, (who doesn't have enough money to stay in town without Julia) into flirting with Mr. Malcolm. She's supposed to make him fall in love with her with the help of a list of qualifications Julia has discovered that Malcolm has for his future wife. And then she's supposed to pull out a list of her own, tell him he doesn't meet all of her qualifications and dump him.
Why?
Because Mr. Malcom didn't like Julia enough to take her on a second date.
Of course, Selina actually is the perfect woman for Malcolm, so the list and Julia's advice are really quite unneeded. And Selina doesn't actually like the plan or go along with the plan. But due to Malcolm's assholery, once he finds out about Julia's plan (because of course, he finds out about Julia's plan), they end up having to go through this whole ridiculous rigmarole that involves getting trapped in a hothouse together and falling into several bodies of water before they can get their HEA.
The path to true love is often winding and fraught with difficulties.
This is worth reading if you're looking for good dialogue, a cute plot trope, and fluffy romance. I don't really care about historical accuracy for the most part, so that's not even a consideration for me when it comes to picking out rom-com type books like this.
The only thing I really disliked about the book was Mr. Malcom, himself.
He was an ass with that stupid list at first, in the middle you kind of like him, and then towards the end you just hate him. Which would have been fine if the author had been able to pull off some sort of a switcheroo and make me really love him in those last few pages.
Alas...no.
I flip-flopped back from hate to a solid feeling of ambivalence towards him.
Bonus, if you're looking for a clean romance, there are no sex scenes in this. <--Yay!
I mostly skim over that shit at this point, anyway.
However, don't get this one if you're hoping for some big dicks and nipple tweaking - you're going to be disappointed.
Overall?
I loved the writing even if the characters weren't all that amazing. This is one of those stories where the plot is far better than the actual romance between the characters, and if it sounds like something you'd like, give it a shot.
The reviews I'd read mentioned a lot of the problems with the book, so I didn't go into it with any unrealistic expectations. I read it anyway because the plot looked like it would be right up my alley - and it was! I'm not sorry I read (listened) to this one at all.
AND I would most definitely read something by Suzanne Allain again.
The gist is that Julia, an obnoxiously spoiled young woman, bullies her friend, Selina, (who doesn't have enough money to stay in town without Julia) into flirting with Mr. Malcolm. She's supposed to make him fall in love with her with the help of a list of qualifications Julia has discovered that Malcolm has for his future wife. And then she's supposed to pull out a list of her own, tell him he doesn't meet all of her qualifications and dump him.
Why?
Because Mr. Malcom didn't like Julia enough to take her on a second date.
Of course, Selina actually is the perfect woman for Malcolm, so the list and Julia's advice are really quite unneeded. And Selina doesn't actually like the plan or go along with the plan. But due to Malcolm's assholery, once he finds out about Julia's plan (because of course, he finds out about Julia's plan), they end up having to go through this whole ridiculous rigmarole that involves getting trapped in a hothouse together and falling into several bodies of water before they can get their HEA.
The path to true love is often winding and fraught with difficulties.
This is worth reading if you're looking for good dialogue, a cute plot trope, and fluffy romance. I don't really care about historical accuracy for the most part, so that's not even a consideration for me when it comes to picking out rom-com type books like this.
The only thing I really disliked about the book was Mr. Malcom, himself.
He was an ass with that stupid list at first, in the middle you kind of like him, and then towards the end you just hate him. Which would have been fine if the author had been able to pull off some sort of a switcheroo and make me really love him in those last few pages.
Alas...no.
I flip-flopped back from hate to a solid feeling of ambivalence towards him.
Bonus, if you're looking for a clean romance, there are no sex scenes in this. <--Yay!
I mostly skim over that shit at this point, anyway.
However, don't get this one if you're hoping for some big dicks and nipple tweaking - you're going to be disappointed.
Overall?
I loved the writing even if the characters weren't all that amazing. This is one of those stories where the plot is far better than the actual romance between the characters, and if it sounds like something you'd like, give it a shot.
July 18, 2015
This is a fantastic study on how not to write a regency romance.
Let me just start by saying that Selina is more than a tolerable main character. I liked her a lot. I don't think I would have been able to finish this book if I had to deal with an annoying mc on top of everything else.
Let's just run through it.
Setting: Awful.
It's like Allain read one regency romance and then decided to write her own, with no knowledge of history or Britain. The language is so very modern. They might as well have said YOLO SWAG! It's like she made a little checklist for the setting.
Costume ball-check.
Call on someone in town-check.(Did I send a card? Am I wearing a morning dress? Did I take a hackney?)
Carriage ride in the park-check.
Visit family in the country-check.
This book just made me so much more appreciative of Georgette Heyer's books.
Characters- Meh.
Julia is an awful friend. She is completely different in the second half of the book. So different that she may as well have been a different person. Her motivations don't make any sense. Julia's brother is dashing what ho. Spiffing darling. Shall we have a go at whist then go see the horses. (In other words he's super British and essentially a joke.)
I did like Selina's relationship with her parents. I really liked Henry.
Relationships-Blech.
Don't get me started on Mr. Malcolm. He was awful. Horrible. One of the worst male leads I have ever read in a romance. There is no chemistry. No logical reason for her to like him. I really wish Selina an Henry would have gotten together. And at the end he was treating her horribly. He was telling everyone they were engaged so she couldn't "weasel" out of it. (Dubcon much?) And what the heck was up with them constantly ending up in compromising positions. People didn't fall into puddles/fountains and have mudfights so much back then.
Structure of the story: This is the worst.
This is possibly the best example of how not to structure your novel ever. The climax is like 100 pages away from the conclusion. The denouement goes on FOREVER. This book is way too long. It should have only been a novella.
And the way it is, it's like it's in two parts I already said Julia is a totally different character. Well it's like a totally different book.
WHY DO SO MANY THINGS HAPPEN BEFORE THEY CAN RESOLVE THIS? Like seriously. Just wrap it up.
Anyway, if you're looking for a regency romance, try Georgette Heyer or Eloisa James. Not this.
Let me just start by saying that Selina is more than a tolerable main character. I liked her a lot. I don't think I would have been able to finish this book if I had to deal with an annoying mc on top of everything else.
Let's just run through it.
Setting: Awful.
It's like Allain read one regency romance and then decided to write her own, with no knowledge of history or Britain. The language is so very modern. They might as well have said YOLO SWAG! It's like she made a little checklist for the setting.
Costume ball-check.
Call on someone in town-check.(Did I send a card? Am I wearing a morning dress? Did I take a hackney?)
Carriage ride in the park-check.
Visit family in the country-check.
This book just made me so much more appreciative of Georgette Heyer's books.
Characters- Meh.
Julia is an awful friend. She is completely different in the second half of the book. So different that she may as well have been a different person. Her motivations don't make any sense. Julia's brother is dashing what ho. Spiffing darling. Shall we have a go at whist then go see the horses. (In other words he's super British and essentially a joke.)
I did like Selina's relationship with her parents. I really liked Henry.
Relationships-Blech.
Don't get me started on Mr. Malcolm. He was awful. Horrible. One of the worst male leads I have ever read in a romance. There is no chemistry. No logical reason for her to like him. I really wish Selina an Henry would have gotten together. And at the end he was treating her horribly. He was telling everyone they were engaged so she couldn't "weasel" out of it. (Dubcon much?) And what the heck was up with them constantly ending up in compromising positions. People didn't fall into puddles/fountains and have mudfights so much back then.
Structure of the story: This is the worst.
This is possibly the best example of how not to structure your novel ever. The climax is like 100 pages away from the conclusion. The denouement goes on FOREVER. This book is way too long. It should have only been a novella.
And the way it is, it's like it's in two parts I already said Julia is a totally different character. Well it's like a totally different book.
WHY DO SO MANY THINGS HAPPEN BEFORE THEY CAN RESOLVE THIS? Like seriously. Just wrap it up.
Anyway, if you're looking for a regency romance, try Georgette Heyer or Eloisa James. Not this.
May 26, 2022
Tudo começa porque o ilustre Sr. Malcolm, filho mais novo de um conde, detentor de uma considerável fortuna e considerado o melhor partido, faz uma lista de atributos que a sua futura mulher tem de possuir.
A história poderia ter sido melhor aproveitada mas é super divertida e por esse motivo, sobe de 4 estrelas para 4,5 ✨
Adorei o Cassie, que de acordo com a lista do seu melhor amigo, passa a considerar a sua procura como quem pretende adquirir um cavalo.
Julia, prima de Cassie e pretendida rejeitada de Malcolm, convida a sua amiga Selina para se vingar de Jeremy.
Claro que todos nós sabemos o que isso vai dar, não há surpresa. A divertida viagem que as personagens terão de fazer até chegar ao seu final feliz é que vale a pena.
Um livro divertido, leve, amoroso.
January 3, 2023
The Honorable Jeremy Malcolm has a list of ten qualities he must find in his future wife. If a young marriage candidate is lacking in one category, she is out. One such young lady named Julia does not take kindly to being out of the running and conspires with her cousin Cassidy to teach Mr. Malcolm a lesson. She drafts an old school acquaintance to help with her project. Selina is a captive audience and reluctantly submits herself to the Malcolm approval process. Mr. Malcolm wants his love life to be neat and orderly, but he will find that love is more of a disruptor. This clean and entertaining romance was a fun break from more heavy thriller and historical fiction reads. Now I am looking forward to seeing the movie.
January 11, 2019
2019 Review
Still a fabulously fun read, but this time I think I enjoyed Incognito better. I recommend reading both. (Not as much a fan of The Celebrated Pedestrian )
2018 Review
So first you read Jane Austen. And Jane's great! Iconic, even! But sometimes, deep down, you have to admit...she isn't where you go for a comfortable romance.
Then you discover Georgette Heyer. And she's amazing! Readable, fun, romantic...everything you've hoped for. Until eventually, you run out of her books to read.
Now what?
You try getting other Regency books from the library. They leave you blushing hard but simultaneously banging your head against the wall because the historical detail is so off. But you're an addict now. You need your Regency fix and you can only re-read Pride and Prejudice or The Grand Sophy so many times.
Then a book like Mr. Malcolm's List comes along. From a technical standpoint, it isn't a perfect book by a long shot. It plays a little loose with historical detail (all that first-name calling!) and comfortably relies on some scandalous behavior, but it. is. so. fun! And best of all, it fills that Regency craving without causing you to blush.
That's right, clean but swoon-worthy.
There isn't much drama in this plot. Not too many characters get introduced, the important ones all end up at a tiny house party. Despite a possible secondary love interest, this is no love triangle. The main couple falls instantly in love. But it isn't an awkward insta-love. They don't give into their lusts. Instead, it adds to the storyline.
The two main characters are rather perfect...but never annoyingly so. Malcolm is drool-worthy. Where can I find one?
Although at the times the story gets borderline preachy, it never crosses a line into irritating.
And it is so unexpectedly funny! And sweet! I found myself flipping back to re-read scenes I'd just read because they caught me as so deliciously funny or romantic.
I particularly liked scenes that I think will go one way, but instead go another.
Also, all the innuendo in this book! It was the perfect mix of adult humor and tongue in cheek reality. It felt healthy and didn't cross any lines. I appreciated it immensely.
I probably would have waited to review this book until I've had a chance to sleep on it and let my earlier glow fade, but I've got Incognito lined up on my Kindle and I just want to go devour it.
Definitely a book I will be returning to!
Still a fabulously fun read, but this time I think I enjoyed Incognito better. I recommend reading both. (Not as much a fan of The Celebrated Pedestrian )
2018 Review
So first you read Jane Austen. And Jane's great! Iconic, even! But sometimes, deep down, you have to admit...she isn't where you go for a comfortable romance.
Then you discover Georgette Heyer. And she's amazing! Readable, fun, romantic...everything you've hoped for. Until eventually, you run out of her books to read.
Now what?
You try getting other Regency books from the library. They leave you blushing hard but simultaneously banging your head against the wall because the historical detail is so off. But you're an addict now. You need your Regency fix and you can only re-read Pride and Prejudice or The Grand Sophy so many times.
Then a book like Mr. Malcolm's List comes along. From a technical standpoint, it isn't a perfect book by a long shot. It plays a little loose with historical detail (all that first-name calling!) and comfortably relies on some scandalous behavior, but it. is. so. fun! And best of all, it fills that Regency craving without causing you to blush.
That's right, clean but swoon-worthy.
There isn't much drama in this plot. Not too many characters get introduced, the important ones all end up at a tiny house party. Despite a possible secondary love interest, this is no love triangle. The main couple falls instantly in love. But it isn't an awkward insta-love. They don't give into their lusts. Instead, it adds to the storyline.
The two main characters are rather perfect...but never annoyingly so. Malcolm is drool-worthy. Where can I find one?
Although at the times the story gets borderline preachy, it never crosses a line into irritating.
And it is so unexpectedly funny! And sweet! I found myself flipping back to re-read scenes I'd just read because they caught me as so deliciously funny or romantic.
I particularly liked scenes that I think will go one way, but instead go another.
Also, all the innuendo in this book! It was the perfect mix of adult humor and tongue in cheek reality. It felt healthy and didn't cross any lines. I appreciated it immensely.
I probably would have waited to review this book until I've had a chance to sleep on it and let my earlier glow fade, but I've got Incognito lined up on my Kindle and I just want to go devour it.
Definitely a book I will be returning to!
November 27, 2020
1.75 stars
this book is bad. I don't say that often but this was bad.
Malcolm was an arrogant asshole who deserves to die a fiery death. Julie or Julia whatever the fuck her name was was a horrible friend. Who the fuck is Selina because what the fuck was her characterization?? The setting? bad.
this is a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice but the entire time I was reading it I was just kinda wishing I was reading Pride and Prejudice instead lol
also it's currently 2 AM where I live and I am not even a little tired. i think i fucked up my sleep schedule again. yay.
overall fuck this book and fuck Malcolm
this book is bad. I don't say that often but this was bad.
Malcolm was an arrogant asshole who deserves to die a fiery death. Julie or Julia whatever the fuck her name was was a horrible friend. Who the fuck is Selina because what the fuck was her characterization?? The setting? bad.
this is a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice but the entire time I was reading it I was just kinda wishing I was reading Pride and Prejudice instead lol
also it's currently 2 AM where I live and I am not even a little tired. i think i fucked up my sleep schedule again. yay.
overall fuck this book and fuck Malcolm
June 5, 2020
Somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars... there is something that is very bingeable about this book, so I had a pleasant enough time in the middle of it. It kind of reminded me of fanfiction in its structure and tone, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, there's a lot lacking in character development, plot pacing, and consistency in voice. I personally don't care that much about "historical accuracy" (for those who do, this is not going to be a book for you :)), but I do want the author to sell me on their version of the setting that they've constructed. In this case, it didn't convince me of its vision of historical setting it picked
All in all, not my favorite or very memorable, but a fine enough way to pass some time
All in all, not my favorite or very memorable, but a fine enough way to pass some time
July 28, 2020
I'm torn!
2 or 4 stars? I'm conflicted!
If you want a romantic comedy spoof, then maybe 4 stars. If you're looking for the more genuine romance article, then 2.
That's my burning question. I was suitably underwhelmed by The List as a serious regency work. How a supposedly intelligent woman was beguiled by her one time uneasy schoolfriend to punish a potential swain for not continuing to court her friend is beyond me. And when said perceptive young woman continually falls in with her friend's plans mostly because she thinking of something or someone else and just murmurs appropriate noises of approval, well then, of course she's going to find herself in deep water. Couple that with the fact that said friend is fiendishly sure of herself (read spoiled, arrogant and used to getting her own way) with a true 'mean girls' streak, and the story becomes farcical.
(I must say though I kept flashing to scenes from 1940's black and white inane romantic comedy movies. How can that be? I'm thinking of maybe Cary Grant and Irene Dunne or Katherine Hepburn. If this is a regency romantic comedy spoof, then it's possibly a 4 star performance. If it's not, I support my 2 star designation.)
Highly eligible, wealthy and apparently dishy, the Honourable Mr. Jeremy Malcolm, second son of the Earl of Kilbourne, has a list of attributes he's looking for in a wife. Julia Thistlewaite falls short and so after a couple of outings with her he moves on. Thwarted and enraged Julia remembers that an acquaintance from school, Selina Dalton, a vicar's daughter, has written to her. Julia invites Selina to London, planning to use her to exact some sweet revenge against the top lofty Jeremy. So your veritable comic Cheltenham tragedy is about to be enacted.
Of course things go awry, and there are indeed many wryly funny moments, but in the end the story seemed to tail off, the farcical loosing it's impetus. I finished, but it was a close run thing.
There's a good meld of supporting characters. One of the best was Jeremy's mother, Lady Kilbourne. Although Julie's cousin Cassie (Lord Cassidy) adds a certain Bertie Wooster piquancy .
I did love the cover design. A mixture of millennium pink and red with silhouetted figures harken back to times past, with a dash of the modern.
I am still left with the sneaking suspicion this is a romantic comedy spoof. So I'm back to my original quandary. Was this a 4 star or 2 star performance?
I've decided to come down on this being a romantic comedy but due to the slow finish I'm settling for 3 stars.
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley
2 or 4 stars? I'm conflicted!
If you want a romantic comedy spoof, then maybe 4 stars. If you're looking for the more genuine romance article, then 2.
That's my burning question. I was suitably underwhelmed by The List as a serious regency work. How a supposedly intelligent woman was beguiled by her one time uneasy schoolfriend to punish a potential swain for not continuing to court her friend is beyond me. And when said perceptive young woman continually falls in with her friend's plans mostly because she thinking of something or someone else and just murmurs appropriate noises of approval, well then, of course she's going to find herself in deep water. Couple that with the fact that said friend is fiendishly sure of herself (read spoiled, arrogant and used to getting her own way) with a true 'mean girls' streak, and the story becomes farcical.
(I must say though I kept flashing to scenes from 1940's black and white inane romantic comedy movies. How can that be? I'm thinking of maybe Cary Grant and Irene Dunne or Katherine Hepburn. If this is a regency romantic comedy spoof, then it's possibly a 4 star performance. If it's not, I support my 2 star designation.)
Highly eligible, wealthy and apparently dishy, the Honourable Mr. Jeremy Malcolm, second son of the Earl of Kilbourne, has a list of attributes he's looking for in a wife. Julia Thistlewaite falls short and so after a couple of outings with her he moves on. Thwarted and enraged Julia remembers that an acquaintance from school, Selina Dalton, a vicar's daughter, has written to her. Julia invites Selina to London, planning to use her to exact some sweet revenge against the top lofty Jeremy. So your veritable comic Cheltenham tragedy is about to be enacted.
Of course things go awry, and there are indeed many wryly funny moments, but in the end the story seemed to tail off, the farcical loosing it's impetus. I finished, but it was a close run thing.
There's a good meld of supporting characters. One of the best was Jeremy's mother, Lady Kilbourne. Although Julie's cousin Cassie (Lord Cassidy) adds a certain Bertie Wooster piquancy .
I did love the cover design. A mixture of millennium pink and red with silhouetted figures harken back to times past, with a dash of the modern.
I am still left with the sneaking suspicion this is a romantic comedy spoof. So I'm back to my original quandary. Was this a 4 star or 2 star performance?
I've decided to come down on this being a romantic comedy but due to the slow finish I'm settling for 3 stars.
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley
July 28, 2020
Read to 40%, then skipped to the last 3 chapters.
I was quite excited at the premise of this one as the synopsis sounded promising. Sadly, there wasn’t anything for me.
All of the characters sort of sound the same. I honestly think that if you took away the names, the men and women could be interchangeable. Except Julia, but only because she’s a mega-brat.
I did try to keep reading, but eventually realized that I didn’t really care about these characters or if any of them got an HEA.
**Huge thanks to Berkley for providing the arc free of charge**
I was quite excited at the premise of this one as the synopsis sounded promising. Sadly, there wasn’t anything for me.
All of the characters sort of sound the same. I honestly think that if you took away the names, the men and women could be interchangeable. Except Julia, but only because she’s a mega-brat.
I did try to keep reading, but eventually realized that I didn’t really care about these characters or if any of them got an HEA.
**Huge thanks to Berkley for providing the arc free of charge**
July 24, 2022
A cute regency romance with some pacing issues that made the second half drag.
Click here to hear more of my thoughts on this book and its (amazing) movie adaptation over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!
Click here to hear more of my thoughts on this book and its (amazing) movie adaptation over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!
March 5, 2021
Oh no thank you
April 26, 2022
Es un quiero y no puedo.
A pesar de la sinopsis, los protagonistas de la novela son otros y por eso me ha sorprendido, deja en el olvido al personaje que da pie a la trama de la novela, no me gustó el giró que tomó la historia al incluir a un tercer personaje.
Aún así, me gustó más de la mitad del libro hacia el final, porque esa primera parte era muy repetitiva y al final va cogiendo ritmo, demasiado enredo para tan poca trama.
A Mr. Malcolm le ha faltado chicha, más intensidad, más diálogo, más ironía, más elegancia.
Hay un personaje secundario que bebe los vientos por una de las chicas y acaba con otra ¿cuándo da el cambio de sentimientos? ¿dónde dice la autora que siente algo por ella?
¿Necesariamente todos los personajes de la novela tienen que acabar casados? ¿o de lo contrario sería un fracaso?
A pesar de la sinopsis, los protagonistas de la novela son otros y por eso me ha sorprendido, deja en el olvido al personaje que da pie a la trama de la novela, no me gustó el giró que tomó la historia al incluir a un tercer personaje.
Aún así, me gustó más de la mitad del libro hacia el final, porque esa primera parte era muy repetitiva y al final va cogiendo ritmo, demasiado enredo para tan poca trama.
A Mr. Malcolm le ha faltado chicha, más intensidad, más diálogo, más ironía, más elegancia.
Hay un personaje secundario que bebe los vientos por una de las chicas y acaba con otra ¿cuándo da el cambio de sentimientos? ¿dónde dice la autora que siente algo por ella?
¿Necesariamente todos los personajes de la novela tienen que acabar casados? ¿o de lo contrario sería un fracaso?
May 7, 2022
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2022/...
No me ha convencido. Entiendo que la autora pretende una ironía que no he encontrado.
Si escribes una novela en la que pasan tan pocas cosas, en un corto espacio de tiempo y todo gira en torno a unos cuantos personajes, o le das un poco de vida a través de diálogos divertidos y chistosos e inteligentes o es complicado captar interés.😔
Se me ha hecho algo soso, me ha faltado chispa. Personajes nada originales con tendencia al cliché y con algo de moraleja.
Escrito de forma ágil ya que gran parte son diálogos.
Parece muy posible que se haya publicado tan solo porque habrá película, como novela se aleja mucho de lo que suelo buscar.
No termino de entender por qué las grandes editoriales, a la hora de encontrar una autora que traducir , no buscan algunas con opiniones y valoraciones buenas en las redes sociales y optan por una novela que aquí ya no tiene una gran puntuación🤷♀️
No me ha convencido. Entiendo que la autora pretende una ironía que no he encontrado.
Si escribes una novela en la que pasan tan pocas cosas, en un corto espacio de tiempo y todo gira en torno a unos cuantos personajes, o le das un poco de vida a través de diálogos divertidos y chistosos e inteligentes o es complicado captar interés.😔
Se me ha hecho algo soso, me ha faltado chispa. Personajes nada originales con tendencia al cliché y con algo de moraleja.
Escrito de forma ágil ya que gran parte son diálogos.
Parece muy posible que se haya publicado tan solo porque habrá película, como novela se aleja mucho de lo que suelo buscar.
No termino de entender por qué las grandes editoriales, a la hora de encontrar una autora que traducir , no buscan algunas con opiniones y valoraciones buenas en las redes sociales y optan por una novela que aquí ya no tiene una gran puntuación🤷♀️
July 21, 2022
Will someone please tell me why the heck I waited so long to read this book?? Loved, loved this absolutely delightful regency romance!
Though the writing style is different, the plot had lots of Georgette Heyer vibes - lots of vivid personalities, quirky characters, schemes and misunderstandings, and some super swoony romance.
I loved the flow between the points of view and cheered every time Malcolm and Selina were on page together - their chemistry was just perfection. And the way everyone tried to "help"? I laughed and smiled the whole way through this book - this is definitely one I will be picking up again!
Don't be like me and wait so long to read this one! Go pick it up!
Though the writing style is different, the plot had lots of Georgette Heyer vibes - lots of vivid personalities, quirky characters, schemes and misunderstandings, and some super swoony romance.
I loved the flow between the points of view and cheered every time Malcolm and Selina were on page together - their chemistry was just perfection. And the way everyone tried to "help"? I laughed and smiled the whole way through this book - this is definitely one I will be picking up again!
Don't be like me and wait so long to read this one! Go pick it up!
June 27, 2022
Original review of the self-published edition 2*
This light romantic comedy is filled with the usual cliched characters and plot devices. I didn't like the relationship between Malcolm and Selina. I felt it could have been better developed aside from mere physical attraction. They are both intelligent and witty but most of their interactions are sparse on dialogue. Malcolm mostly comes across as a snob who doesn't really know what he wants. Selina is a bit too nice at first but she improves as her temper is tried. Another character experiences a change of heart which seems too abrupt. The dialogue is stilted and unrealistic and there's lots of telling as opposed to showing. The list plot has been done much better elsewhere. If you enjoy the light, fluffy books of Clare Darcy and other Georgette Heyer copycats you'll like this one. If you can get a copy for free or download the inexpensive e-book version, then this book is worth the money. It was not well-written enough for me to feel the paperback was worth the price.
Review of the professionally published edition 3*
Mr. Jeremy Malcolm has a list of qualities he wishes for in a wife. It's high time he married but only a certain someone will do and that someone is not Miss Julia Thistlewaite and Mr. Malcolm is unafraid to tell Julia's cousin, his best friend, Lord Cassidy the truth. When Cassie reveals to his cousin Julia the truth about Mr. Malcolm's list, Julia is furious. Angry over being rejected, Julia hatches a plan to bring down Mr. Malcolm and humiliate him. For that she needs a compliant young lady unknown to the ton. Enter Selina Dalton, vicar's daughter and for the last few years, companion to Mrs. Ossory in Bath. Now with Mrs. Ossory dead, Selina is about to return home when she receives a letter from her old school friend Julia inviting her to London. When Selina learns of Julia's scheme, she is reluctant to go along. After meeting Mr. Malcolm, Selina is not at all interested in fulfilling Julia's plan and tries to thwart it. As Mr. Malcolm falls in love with Selina and she with him, it only makes her feel more guilty. What would happen if she refused to comply with Julia? Would Julia really send her away? What would happen if Selina were to tell Mr. Malcolm the truth? Would he believe her? Would he laugh or would he be angry? Selina can't bear to lose Jeremy's love but she can't bear to lie either. Is there a way out of this dilemma?
In advance of the new feature film, I decided to read the book again. I think it has been revised but there is quite a lot of dialogue. The story is funny, charming and fluffy. In some places the author tries to mimic Austen's tone and the writing isn't entirely modern but not entirely period either. It's simplified period speech I guess. There are some steamy kisses including one in a fountain in a conservatory but nothing goes beyond kissing passionately. The book is mercifully free of heaving bosoms and throbbing loins at least.
I really like Selina. She's sweet, kind and independent. She's not a naïve wallflower beholden to Julia for her season. As a vicar's daughter, Selina has a strong moral compass and when her ethics are tested, she pushes back. Julia has a more vibrant personality but she's a royal *itch! Julia conveniently forgets to write to Selina until she needs someone to dupe Mr. M. Julia is a fair weather friend, a mean girl and completely nasty. Her character growth is a little too slow and unrealistic for me. There's essentially no growth shown only told in dialogue. I don't think she's sincere at all. I didn't buy her romantic subplot.
Mr. Malcolm really is an arrogant jerk. His character growth wasn't quite enough for me. Even to the end he was not a nice person. He continually tested Selina against his list, something she was aware of but not from him. He only told her about it afterwards- another test to see how she would react. That was really mean. He never lets himself fall completely in love. He never opens up, is never vulnerable and just throws out accusation after accusation without fact. I did not like him. Mr. Ossory is much nicer. A nephew of Selina's late employer, he seeks her out because his aunt wanted them to make a match. That makes sense. Henry is a nice person. He's amiable, has an equitable temper and is kind, which is far better than being rich like Mr. Malcolm. I was rooting for him.
The side characters are very funny. Cassie is a dimwit but he's a good person. A devoted cousin and friend to Selina, he's willing to do whatever it takes to help, even if it's something he doesn't really wish to do. Julia's mother is not very bright, perceptive or an effective chaperone but her dialogue is always amusing. Even funnier is Selina's cousin by marriage, Gertie. She's a Jennifer Coolidge type widow, the widow who pretends to be in her 20s and dresses like a debutante and says whatever comes into her head. Selina's parents are lovely. Her father is a little too sober at times but her mother's lively temperament balances him out nicely. They both want their daughter to be happy and of course mother is the first to see what's going on. The same is true for Mr. Malcolm's mother, Lady Kilbourne. She's perceptive and sees exactly what's in her son's heart AND mind. She advances the plot a little too much for my tastes.
This is a Regency rom com, not great literature but it's what I needed. Read this for a break from the news and the horrible real world we live in. The biggest problem in this novel is who to marry!
This light romantic comedy is filled with the usual cliched characters and plot devices. I didn't like the relationship between Malcolm and Selina. I felt it could have been better developed aside from mere physical attraction. They are both intelligent and witty but most of their interactions are sparse on dialogue. Malcolm mostly comes across as a snob who doesn't really know what he wants. Selina is a bit too nice at first but she improves as her temper is tried. Another character experiences a change of heart which seems too abrupt. The dialogue is stilted and unrealistic and there's lots of telling as opposed to showing. The list plot has been done much better elsewhere. If you enjoy the light, fluffy books of Clare Darcy and other Georgette Heyer copycats you'll like this one. If you can get a copy for free or download the inexpensive e-book version, then this book is worth the money. It was not well-written enough for me to feel the paperback was worth the price.
Review of the professionally published edition 3*
Mr. Jeremy Malcolm has a list of qualities he wishes for in a wife. It's high time he married but only a certain someone will do and that someone is not Miss Julia Thistlewaite and Mr. Malcolm is unafraid to tell Julia's cousin, his best friend, Lord Cassidy the truth. When Cassie reveals to his cousin Julia the truth about Mr. Malcolm's list, Julia is furious. Angry over being rejected, Julia hatches a plan to bring down Mr. Malcolm and humiliate him. For that she needs a compliant young lady unknown to the ton. Enter Selina Dalton, vicar's daughter and for the last few years, companion to Mrs. Ossory in Bath. Now with Mrs. Ossory dead, Selina is about to return home when she receives a letter from her old school friend Julia inviting her to London. When Selina learns of Julia's scheme, she is reluctant to go along. After meeting Mr. Malcolm, Selina is not at all interested in fulfilling Julia's plan and tries to thwart it. As Mr. Malcolm falls in love with Selina and she with him, it only makes her feel more guilty. What would happen if she refused to comply with Julia? Would Julia really send her away? What would happen if Selina were to tell Mr. Malcolm the truth? Would he believe her? Would he laugh or would he be angry? Selina can't bear to lose Jeremy's love but she can't bear to lie either. Is there a way out of this dilemma?
In advance of the new feature film, I decided to read the book again. I think it has been revised but there is quite a lot of dialogue. The story is funny, charming and fluffy. In some places the author tries to mimic Austen's tone and the writing isn't entirely modern but not entirely period either. It's simplified period speech I guess. There are some steamy kisses including one in a fountain in a conservatory but nothing goes beyond kissing passionately. The book is mercifully free of heaving bosoms and throbbing loins at least.
I really like Selina. She's sweet, kind and independent. She's not a naïve wallflower beholden to Julia for her season. As a vicar's daughter, Selina has a strong moral compass and when her ethics are tested, she pushes back. Julia has a more vibrant personality but she's a royal *itch! Julia conveniently forgets to write to Selina until she needs someone to dupe Mr. M. Julia is a fair weather friend, a mean girl and completely nasty. Her character growth is a little too slow and unrealistic for me. There's essentially no growth shown only told in dialogue. I don't think she's sincere at all. I didn't buy her romantic subplot.
Mr. Malcolm really is an arrogant jerk. His character growth wasn't quite enough for me. Even to the end he was not a nice person. He continually tested Selina against his list, something she was aware of but not from him. He only told her about it afterwards- another test to see how she would react. That was really mean. He never lets himself fall completely in love. He never opens up, is never vulnerable and just throws out accusation after accusation without fact. I did not like him. Mr. Ossory is much nicer. A nephew of Selina's late employer, he seeks her out because his aunt wanted them to make a match. That makes sense. Henry is a nice person. He's amiable, has an equitable temper and is kind, which is far better than being rich like Mr. Malcolm. I was rooting for him.
The side characters are very funny. Cassie is a dimwit but he's a good person. A devoted cousin and friend to Selina, he's willing to do whatever it takes to help, even if it's something he doesn't really wish to do. Julia's mother is not very bright, perceptive or an effective chaperone but her dialogue is always amusing. Even funnier is Selina's cousin by marriage, Gertie. She's a Jennifer Coolidge type widow, the widow who pretends to be in her 20s and dresses like a debutante and says whatever comes into her head. Selina's parents are lovely. Her father is a little too sober at times but her mother's lively temperament balances him out nicely. They both want their daughter to be happy and of course mother is the first to see what's going on. The same is true for Mr. Malcolm's mother, Lady Kilbourne. She's perceptive and sees exactly what's in her son's heart AND mind. She advances the plot a little too much for my tastes.
This is a Regency rom com, not great literature but it's what I needed. Read this for a break from the news and the horrible real world we live in. The biggest problem in this novel is who to marry!
May 28, 2022
Tengo que confesar que cuando empecé esta historia esperaba encontrarme una historia algo diferente, me ha gustado aunque ha habido momentos en que Mr. Malcolm me caía muy mal 😅.
Me ha gustado la parte conspiradora de Julia para vengarse de Mr. Malcolm, creo que le da un punto a la historia mucho más interesante, ya que si no fuera por ella y sus artimañas, el libro parecería más bien soso.
En resumen, me ha gustado pero esperaba más. Creía que me encontraría con una historia más divertida i fresca.
Me ha gustado la parte conspiradora de Julia para vengarse de Mr. Malcolm, creo que le da un punto a la historia mucho más interesante, ya que si no fuera por ella y sus artimañas, el libro parecería más bien soso.
En resumen, me ha gustado pero esperaba más. Creía que me encontraría con una historia más divertida i fresca.
June 26, 2022
Audiobook Review:
A vicar’s daughter, Selina Dalton is beautiful and kind and does not hold back her caring nature as she has worked as a companion to one of her mother’s friends. When her friend Julia writes and invites her to London, she is happy to have another place to visit instead of returning to her parent’s home after the death of her mother’s friend. Unfortunately, Julia has ulterior motives for the invite…one to embarrass Mr. Malcolm whom she believes has scorned her with his reluctance to pursue her with a match of matrimony.
Jeremy Malcolm is handsome, rich, and sought after my many of women. He can also be an annoying type of prick but not intentionally. He has decided to marry, however the candidate must meet his list of qualifications before he entertains any notion of marriage. In the scheme of things, Julia enlists Selina to help her get revenge on Jeremy, but the plan backfires when she sees another side to him and begin to have feelings for him.
This was a fun and entertaining novel that had me sighing, smiling too much and sometimes laughing out loud at the absurdity of some of the qualifications on the list. This was a clean historical romance that only provided kisses and nothing steamy. So, if you are looking for that, this story does not fit the bill. I thought the writing was good, and the story moved at a pace complementary to the plot. Character development could have used a bit more work for Julia and Cassie. Suzanne Allain, new author to this reader, has done has very good job of presenting an enjoyable novel. The narration by Elizabeth Knowelden was a good performance.
A vicar’s daughter, Selina Dalton is beautiful and kind and does not hold back her caring nature as she has worked as a companion to one of her mother’s friends. When her friend Julia writes and invites her to London, she is happy to have another place to visit instead of returning to her parent’s home after the death of her mother’s friend. Unfortunately, Julia has ulterior motives for the invite…one to embarrass Mr. Malcolm whom she believes has scorned her with his reluctance to pursue her with a match of matrimony.
Jeremy Malcolm is handsome, rich, and sought after my many of women. He can also be an annoying type of prick but not intentionally. He has decided to marry, however the candidate must meet his list of qualifications before he entertains any notion of marriage. In the scheme of things, Julia enlists Selina to help her get revenge on Jeremy, but the plan backfires when she sees another side to him and begin to have feelings for him.
This was a fun and entertaining novel that had me sighing, smiling too much and sometimes laughing out loud at the absurdity of some of the qualifications on the list. This was a clean historical romance that only provided kisses and nothing steamy. So, if you are looking for that, this story does not fit the bill. I thought the writing was good, and the story moved at a pace complementary to the plot. Character development could have used a bit more work for Julia and Cassie. Suzanne Allain, new author to this reader, has done has very good job of presenting an enjoyable novel. The narration by Elizabeth Knowelden was a good performance.
August 11, 2021
The Honourable Mr Malcolm is much sought after amidst the ladies of London Society, he is handsome and rich, yet he is also beginning to acquire a bit of a reputation of being rather fastidious in his tastes. Julia is the latest young lady disappointed to find that after a trip to the Opera together, Mr Malcolm seems to have gone cold on her. When she later learns from her cousin Cassie that Malcolm in fact has a list of requirements for his future wife, which she failed to meet, Julia is naturally furious. Determined to have her revenge on the wretched man she hatches a plot involving her newly arrived friend Selina Dalton. Selina is to use their knowledge of this infamous list to play the perfect woman, only to shatter his dreams at the opportune moment. From here on follows a path to true love that is anything but smooth.
My first read from Suzanna Allain, this was a fun and light Regency romance and comedy of manners. It was a short and easy read, that didn't seem to take itself too seriously and I liked its tongue in cheek style. It was filled with lively and colourful characters, some more likable than others, but even less likable ones such as Julia grew on me as the book went on. I imagine readers will likely be divided in their opinions on the hero Mr Malcolm himself. Certainly it is true that he comes across as rather arrogant with his high expectations and standards, and I wasn't all that keen on him initially, nor sold on the chemistry between him and Selina. However, he does soften as the story goes on, albeit he can still be a prize idiot, but all in all by the end I found he had grown on me too.
I enjoyed Selina as the heroine, she was intelligent, kind and warm, with a good sense of humour and had some spunk to her too, such that she was capable of handling Mr Malcolm, and I liked several of the secondary characters too such as Henry and Cassie and Malcolm's mother.
I thought the premise of the plot was intriguing and a tad unusual, and certainly it allowed for a lot of fun and humour and misunderstandings. Certainly at times the plot could become a trifle silly and was perhaps overall a bit too frothy in its tone, lacking any true depth or sentiment, however, for me it worked as a farce or satire and would certainly suit a stage play, though I actually believe they are making a movie adaptation.
Overall I actually ended up enjoying this more than I initially thought I would, once I adjusted to its tone and sort of just accepted it as a comedy, and it probably is more of a comedy than a romance really. I liked that it was PG rated, and not the steamier type of Regency romance. Certainly this won't be to everyone's taste, however, on the basis of this one I am going to give Allain's latest book a try too.
My first read from Suzanna Allain, this was a fun and light Regency romance and comedy of manners. It was a short and easy read, that didn't seem to take itself too seriously and I liked its tongue in cheek style. It was filled with lively and colourful characters, some more likable than others, but even less likable ones such as Julia grew on me as the book went on. I imagine readers will likely be divided in their opinions on the hero Mr Malcolm himself. Certainly it is true that he comes across as rather arrogant with his high expectations and standards, and I wasn't all that keen on him initially, nor sold on the chemistry between him and Selina. However, he does soften as the story goes on, albeit he can still be a prize idiot, but all in all by the end I found he had grown on me too.
I enjoyed Selina as the heroine, she was intelligent, kind and warm, with a good sense of humour and had some spunk to her too, such that she was capable of handling Mr Malcolm, and I liked several of the secondary characters too such as Henry and Cassie and Malcolm's mother.
I thought the premise of the plot was intriguing and a tad unusual, and certainly it allowed for a lot of fun and humour and misunderstandings. Certainly at times the plot could become a trifle silly and was perhaps overall a bit too frothy in its tone, lacking any true depth or sentiment, however, for me it worked as a farce or satire and would certainly suit a stage play, though I actually believe they are making a movie adaptation.
Overall I actually ended up enjoying this more than I initially thought I would, once I adjusted to its tone and sort of just accepted it as a comedy, and it probably is more of a comedy than a romance really. I liked that it was PG rated, and not the steamier type of Regency romance. Certainly this won't be to everyone's taste, however, on the basis of this one I am going to give Allain's latest book a try too.
June 18, 2020
Mr. Malcolm's List had some good writing, but it was very...basic. Conflicts got resolved within mere pages, there was a lot of telling and not showing, and it jumped around points of views constantly and without much of a warning. I came away from it wanting more character development; the plot, at its most barebones, was good, but the execution left much to be desired.
That said, I'm intrigued by the fact that this novel is already being turned into a film with Constance Wu and Sam Heughan, and we all know I love a good rom-com.
Also, just an FYI, there's zero steam in this one.
That said, I'm intrigued by the fact that this novel is already being turned into a film with Constance Wu and Sam Heughan, and we all know I love a good rom-com.
Also, just an FYI, there's zero steam in this one.
June 29, 2015
Update 6/29/15
I'm knocking this down a star because, despite the fact that I read it 3 weeks ago, I can't remember a single thing! It's that forgettable.
*****
This book could have used a bit more fleshing out. At only two hundred pages, there was plenty more opportunity to delve more into the characters and spend more time examining their motivations. Particularly the second half of the book, it felt like things were magically resolved a bit too much.
I'm knocking this down a star because, despite the fact that I read it 3 weeks ago, I can't remember a single thing! It's that forgettable.
*****
This book could have used a bit more fleshing out. At only two hundred pages, there was plenty more opportunity to delve more into the characters and spend more time examining their motivations. Particularly the second half of the book, it felt like things were magically resolved a bit too much.
July 8, 2025
I read the book as I have heard of the adaptation (and saw the 11 mins feature on Youtube). While I understand there can hardly be a second Austen or a second Heyer, Allain's book leaves much to be desired. The story itself would be fun and charming and the author definitely posseses a talent for inventing witty puns but the writing itself is too much of tell and no show. I missed more complex characterizations (and human-like believable characters in general) and also more plausible regency manners with era appropriate language.
May 30, 2022
Stunningly bad. Like just really awful. The author's knowledge of the historical era seems to be only from having once had a conversation with a teenager who watched a Jane Austen movie and relayed their knowledge of that to the author. Every character was painfully stupid. And the love interest was cruel and hostile at every turn to the MC, despite the fact that at no point did she ever do anything wrong. All the conflict came from mild, vague misunderstandings, and there was no character development of any kind.
Read because my sibling wanted to talk about it. I have regrets.
Read because my sibling wanted to talk about it. I have regrets.
September 14, 2023
Loved the premise! The writing though? Not for me.
May 10, 2020
**ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
1/5 - I was so excited to read this book! The premise was intriguing and I loved the cover. I was less than happy with what was inside. I thought this was a new book and it was only after I'd read a bit and started to do some digging that I realized it's actually a republication. Overall, I found the writing mediocre at best and the story incredibly derivative. It reads like it's trying to be Jane Austen with antiquated turns of phrases and random old words sprinkled throughout. I prefer my historical fiction to be written in relatively modern English.
As for the plot, this book was clearly trying to check every Regency romance box without any originality. You could probably do a scene by scene comparison with Pride and Prejudice... Obviously, Mr. Malcolm was supposed to be similar to Mr. Darcy with his list of attributes for a wife, however, he has none of Darcy's redeemable traits. In fact, I don't think I could describe any characteristics of Mr. Malcolm because he didn't have any. The characters were bland, inconsistent, and generally flat. The author chose to use third-person and share details of what just about every character is thinking and feeling yet all of their thoughts read the same. Without the names, I couldn't have differentiated between the characters. There is no character development at all - they're all the same at the end as they were at the beginning. At no point was I rooting for any of the characters or the romantic pairings. Honestly, the romance seemed built on nothing as the characters had minimal interactions with each other.
The premise is quite misleading too. The list itself plays a minimal role in the story with Selina's list being nonexistent. Other than a conniving "friend" bringing up the list from time to time, it has no bearing on the romance. The plot itself is dull as nothing happens. We don't really ever see Selina and Mr. Malcolm interacting for more than a couple of pages at a time and then we get a long stretch of everyone's thoughts and feelings before one short conversation between the two. As for the climax of the plot, the author spoils any suspense that she had created by revealing Julia's (the catty friend) plan through Julia's thoughts. If she'd let be revealed at the masquerade at the same time Selina finds out, the drama and tension would have been so much higher...
I also have a couple of issues with how characters were treated. Everyone was very critical of Selina's cousin-by-marriage Mrs. Covington and some of the comments were borderline abusive towards her. Additionally, Cassie's entire personality seemed to be that he was an idiot but noble??? The characters were incredibly disparaging to and about him. Not once did the "good" characters realize the error of their behavior. Julia uses everyone around her as a pawn and even after her realization that she hurt people, she keeps doing it.
Finally, Mr. Malcolm's list itself feels very much like a way to demonstrate that Selina is "not like other girls." Knowing the book was initially published in 2009, this makes sense, but it's still frustrating. Can we please stop writing girls tearing girls down? And Selina's list? She literally doesn't have one. Julia makes one for her, but it's not a list Selina made or endorses. And Selina meets every one of Mr. Malcolm's items so there's not even any tension over him liking her but her not meeting his standards.
Overall, a disappointing and derivative story. I've heard it's being turned into a movie, which I hope plays up the lists and actually gives the characters some personalities. I probably won't bother watching it anyway.
1/5 - I was so excited to read this book! The premise was intriguing and I loved the cover. I was less than happy with what was inside. I thought this was a new book and it was only after I'd read a bit and started to do some digging that I realized it's actually a republication. Overall, I found the writing mediocre at best and the story incredibly derivative. It reads like it's trying to be Jane Austen with antiquated turns of phrases and random old words sprinkled throughout. I prefer my historical fiction to be written in relatively modern English.
As for the plot, this book was clearly trying to check every Regency romance box without any originality. You could probably do a scene by scene comparison with Pride and Prejudice... Obviously, Mr. Malcolm was supposed to be similar to Mr. Darcy with his list of attributes for a wife, however, he has none of Darcy's redeemable traits. In fact, I don't think I could describe any characteristics of Mr. Malcolm because he didn't have any. The characters were bland, inconsistent, and generally flat. The author chose to use third-person and share details of what just about every character is thinking and feeling yet all of their thoughts read the same. Without the names, I couldn't have differentiated between the characters. There is no character development at all - they're all the same at the end as they were at the beginning. At no point was I rooting for any of the characters or the romantic pairings. Honestly, the romance seemed built on nothing as the characters had minimal interactions with each other.
The premise is quite misleading too. The list itself plays a minimal role in the story with Selina's list being nonexistent. Other than a conniving "friend" bringing up the list from time to time, it has no bearing on the romance. The plot itself is dull as nothing happens. We don't really ever see Selina and Mr. Malcolm interacting for more than a couple of pages at a time and then we get a long stretch of everyone's thoughts and feelings before one short conversation between the two. As for the climax of the plot, the author spoils any suspense that she had created by revealing Julia's (the catty friend) plan through Julia's thoughts. If she'd let be revealed at the masquerade at the same time Selina finds out, the drama and tension would have been so much higher...
I also have a couple of issues with how characters were treated. Everyone was very critical of Selina's cousin-by-marriage Mrs. Covington and some of the comments were borderline abusive towards her. Additionally, Cassie's entire personality seemed to be that he was an idiot but noble??? The characters were incredibly disparaging to and about him. Not once did the "good" characters realize the error of their behavior. Julia uses everyone around her as a pawn and even after her realization that she hurt people, she keeps doing it.
Finally, Mr. Malcolm's list itself feels very much like a way to demonstrate that Selina is "not like other girls." Knowing the book was initially published in 2009, this makes sense, but it's still frustrating. Can we please stop writing girls tearing girls down? And Selina's list? She literally doesn't have one. Julia makes one for her, but it's not a list Selina made or endorses. And Selina meets every one of Mr. Malcolm's items so there's not even any tension over him liking her but her not meeting his standards.
Overall, a disappointing and derivative story. I've heard it's being turned into a movie, which I hope plays up the lists and actually gives the characters some personalities. I probably won't bother watching it anyway.
July 23, 2020
Mr Malcolm's List
Suzanne Allain
https://www.facebook.com/suzannejallain/
Release date 07/28/2020
Publisher Piatkus for Berkley
Blurb :
It is a truth universally acknowledged that an arrogant bachelor insistent on a wife who meets the strictest of requirements - deserves his comeuppance . . .
The Honourable Mr. Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife. As the target of matchmaking mothers and desperate debutantes, he's determined to avoid the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. But after years of searching, he's beginning to despair of ever finding this paragon. Until Selina Dalton arrives in town.
Selina, a vicar's daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, is thrilled when her friend Julia Thistlewaite invites her to London, until she learns it's all part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm. Selina is reluctant to participate in Julia's scheme, especially after meeting the irresistible Mr. Malcolm, who appears to be very different from the arrogant scoundrel of Julia's description.
But when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has some qualifications of her own. And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind Mr. Malcolm's List.
My review :
Will pride cost one’s love ...
Mr Malcom’s List at first reminded me of Virginia Heath’s The Discerning Gentleman Guide, and while Mrs Heath’s hero used a guide as reference to select his future bride, Malcom here made the requirement through his list.
It was not an unattainable goal but it might limit his prospect. Yet it is what he is looking for.
But in his course for the perfect bride, he damages one woman’s pride, and a woman angered is a disaster in the making.
While Selena is the main character, it is many voices tale, most of the side characters having their share in many drama surrounding Mr Malcom’s quest for a spouse.
Selena is a miss who jumped at the opportunity to partake a bit in the London’s season. She didn’t know she was convoked with the ulterior motive to extract revenge for a too prideful young woman.
And while she is against her friend’s scheme, she at first follows her lead, until she finds herself attracted to the infamous Mr Malcom.
Jeremy thought he had everything mapped out, yet by infuriating involuntarily the wrong woman, he faces her ire and becomes unknowingly the recipient of her wrath with Selena as a weapon.
And while I do not like the deceit used against him, he does not react always the most gentleman like way. At a time, he was not very deserving of Selena’s affection.
Then there are Julia, Henry, Cassie, Selena’s parents and Jeremy’s mother, all are part of the grand scheme and play little tricks.
Mrs Allain wit Mr Malcom’s list narrates a witty and clever challenge of whom’s heart will fall for who with a reflection about a too straightforward path does not prepare for the dents and holes on the journey.
A 5 stars double romance spicy like Emma, with many twists and turns like Much Ado About Nothing.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Suzanne Allain
https://www.facebook.com/suzannejallain/
Release date 07/28/2020
Publisher Piatkus for Berkley
Blurb :
It is a truth universally acknowledged that an arrogant bachelor insistent on a wife who meets the strictest of requirements - deserves his comeuppance . . .
The Honourable Mr. Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife. As the target of matchmaking mothers and desperate debutantes, he's determined to avoid the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. But after years of searching, he's beginning to despair of ever finding this paragon. Until Selina Dalton arrives in town.
Selina, a vicar's daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, is thrilled when her friend Julia Thistlewaite invites her to London, until she learns it's all part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm. Selina is reluctant to participate in Julia's scheme, especially after meeting the irresistible Mr. Malcolm, who appears to be very different from the arrogant scoundrel of Julia's description.
But when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has some qualifications of her own. And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind Mr. Malcolm's List.
My review :
Will pride cost one’s love ...
Mr Malcom’s List at first reminded me of Virginia Heath’s The Discerning Gentleman Guide, and while Mrs Heath’s hero used a guide as reference to select his future bride, Malcom here made the requirement through his list.
It was not an unattainable goal but it might limit his prospect. Yet it is what he is looking for.
But in his course for the perfect bride, he damages one woman’s pride, and a woman angered is a disaster in the making.
While Selena is the main character, it is many voices tale, most of the side characters having their share in many drama surrounding Mr Malcom’s quest for a spouse.
Selena is a miss who jumped at the opportunity to partake a bit in the London’s season. She didn’t know she was convoked with the ulterior motive to extract revenge for a too prideful young woman.
And while she is against her friend’s scheme, she at first follows her lead, until she finds herself attracted to the infamous Mr Malcom.
Jeremy thought he had everything mapped out, yet by infuriating involuntarily the wrong woman, he faces her ire and becomes unknowingly the recipient of her wrath with Selena as a weapon.
And while I do not like the deceit used against him, he does not react always the most gentleman like way. At a time, he was not very deserving of Selena’s affection.
Then there are Julia, Henry, Cassie, Selena’s parents and Jeremy’s mother, all are part of the grand scheme and play little tricks.
Mrs Allain wit Mr Malcom’s list narrates a witty and clever challenge of whom’s heart will fall for who with a reflection about a too straightforward path does not prepare for the dents and holes on the journey.
A 5 stars double romance spicy like Emma, with many twists and turns like Much Ado About Nothing.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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July 26, 2020
** 3.5 Stars **
Publication Date: 7/28/20
Number of Pages: 256
This was a fun and entertaining read from a new-to-me author. She brings the whole range of emotions into it – I giggled, I teared up, I sighed – it was a really nice read. I will mention that it is not in the least steamy, so if you like steam, you won’t get it here. Since I just love a good romance – with or without steam – it was good for me. The writing is good, the characters are pretty well-developed, and the plot was mostly tight and excellently paced.
I believe this is a re-release as the author mentions that she enjoyed being able to go watch the filming of the movie made from it. You’ll like the characters – even the baddies aren’t really so bad. Plus, you get two romances for the price of one, so you can’t go wrong there.
Jeremy Malcolm is one buttoned-up dude! He’s rich, handsome, and has his own estate. If he were female, he’d be a diamond-of-the-first-water. He’s decided it is time to marry, but he is very, very, particular, and has a list of qualifications his bride must meet. Can anyone live up to that perfection? When he fails to pursue one female in particular, she decides to have her revenge on him. Imagine him embarrassing her by not at least calling the following day after escorting her to the opera.
Selina Dalton is the daughter of a vicar. She is very sweet, giving, caring, and very beautiful. She’s been working as a lady’s companion to an older friend of her mothers until the lady died. With her future unsure, she decides to write to a friend from school – and then hope for an invitation to visit London. She could return home to her parents, but that isn’t what she wants to do – at least not right now. When the invitation from her friend arrives, Selina has no clue it comes with some very tightly laced strings.
Now, you must be wondering why this isn’t a 5-star rating for me. The character development – especially for Julia and Cassie – just wasn’t there. For Julia, it was like there was a line down the middle of the book – on one side she was one person and on the other side, she was a different person. For Cassie, well, I felt sorry for him as it seemed his only character trait was that of a buffoon. Anyway, I enjoyed the story - even with Jeremy annoying me regularly.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 7/28/20
Number of Pages: 256
This was a fun and entertaining read from a new-to-me author. She brings the whole range of emotions into it – I giggled, I teared up, I sighed – it was a really nice read. I will mention that it is not in the least steamy, so if you like steam, you won’t get it here. Since I just love a good romance – with or without steam – it was good for me. The writing is good, the characters are pretty well-developed, and the plot was mostly tight and excellently paced.
I believe this is a re-release as the author mentions that she enjoyed being able to go watch the filming of the movie made from it. You’ll like the characters – even the baddies aren’t really so bad. Plus, you get two romances for the price of one, so you can’t go wrong there.
Jeremy Malcolm is one buttoned-up dude! He’s rich, handsome, and has his own estate. If he were female, he’d be a diamond-of-the-first-water. He’s decided it is time to marry, but he is very, very, particular, and has a list of qualifications his bride must meet. Can anyone live up to that perfection? When he fails to pursue one female in particular, she decides to have her revenge on him. Imagine him embarrassing her by not at least calling the following day after escorting her to the opera.
Selina Dalton is the daughter of a vicar. She is very sweet, giving, caring, and very beautiful. She’s been working as a lady’s companion to an older friend of her mothers until the lady died. With her future unsure, she decides to write to a friend from school – and then hope for an invitation to visit London. She could return home to her parents, but that isn’t what she wants to do – at least not right now. When the invitation from her friend arrives, Selina has no clue it comes with some very tightly laced strings.
Now, you must be wondering why this isn’t a 5-star rating for me. The character development – especially for Julia and Cassie – just wasn’t there. For Julia, it was like there was a line down the middle of the book – on one side she was one person and on the other side, she was a different person. For Cassie, well, I felt sorry for him as it seemed his only character trait was that of a buffoon. Anyway, I enjoyed the story - even with Jeremy annoying me regularly.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 13, 2014
After reading Ingocnito by Allain I had to see what other books she had written, which is how I found Mr. Malcolms List. This was probably just as fun as Incognito, both are lighthearted regency novels. I thought the story idea was fun, the characters likable and of course I love the regency setting. I admit, I did not love Mr. Malcolm, but he did grow on my throughout the story. I definitely think it’s a good idea to have a general idea of what qualities you look for in a spouse, I just didn’t always like how he went about things or the items on his list (but, to each their own). Selina was really likable though, I liked that she was honest (for the most part) and held her own. They have good chemistry together and was not only happy for them, but for all the side characters as well. If you’re in the mood for a fun, light read then I’d give this one a try!
February 18, 2021
Since this is a book about lists I’m going to make a list of some of reasons why this book is not worth your time. (Probably, anyhow. Not everyone is as easily annoyed as me thankfully.
1. First and foremost, the writing is simply not on par. The author alternates between barreling through at breakneck speed and then dragging things out long after the suspense has been broken. The first half of the story reads like a novella and she should have written the second half in keeping with that. In addition to the weird pacing, she is incessantly telling us things that she should be showing us instead. For example, in the first few pages alone she tells us that Julia is a selfish brat multiple times, instead of allowing us to see that for ourselves (which isn’t difficult as nuanced characters don’t exist here).
2. It is horribly anachronistic. Twenty-first century lingo, calling people by their first names, courting couples engaging in highly improper conduct and gentry traveling around the countryside delivering their own invitations abound. While the book is clearly lifted from Pride and Prejudice, it doesn’t capture a regency feel at all.
3. Speaking of improper conduct, I keep seeing this book touted as “clean” but I think otherwise. No, there’s no actual sex or nudity involved, but there’s plenty of innuendo and lustful behavior going on, most of which was unnecessary and only detracted more from a historical feel.
4. The characters either don’t have a personality (looking at you, Selina and Malcolm) or they have a clichéd personality (this would be Julia and Malcolm’s mother - I know I read this like a day ago but I can’t remember her name). They all seem very basic, which is inexcusable given that the cast is very limited. If the author had invested even a little more here, it would have made a big difference.
5. Why does Julia do a complete 180 halfway through?? She basically changes into a completely different character in the middle of the scene and it’s intensely annoying. It felt like a complete cop out on the authors part, who obviously just realized she had no rational behind Mr. Ossory falling in love with her. As I said, she coulda invested a bit more here.
6. I realize this next point is maybe a bit petty, but did anyone else find it irritating that when Mr. Malcolm’s home estate is described she’s obviously describing Pemberley as depicted in the 1995 mini series? The pond, the yellow stone, the gallery...we see you girl. I don’t really have a reason for this. It somehow felt insulting to have Mr. Darcy’s home thrust into this spoofy mess. Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted? (Sorry not sorry.)
7. This is not an exhaustive list, but point is, this book is composed of a large collection of flaws with pretty much nothing to redeem them. The general idea could have been spun into a droll comedy but it was quite sadly bungled into a waste of time.
1. First and foremost, the writing is simply not on par. The author alternates between barreling through at breakneck speed and then dragging things out long after the suspense has been broken. The first half of the story reads like a novella and she should have written the second half in keeping with that. In addition to the weird pacing, she is incessantly telling us things that she should be showing us instead. For example, in the first few pages alone she tells us that Julia is a selfish brat multiple times, instead of allowing us to see that for ourselves (which isn’t difficult as nuanced characters don’t exist here).
2. It is horribly anachronistic. Twenty-first century lingo, calling people by their first names, courting couples engaging in highly improper conduct and gentry traveling around the countryside delivering their own invitations abound. While the book is clearly lifted from Pride and Prejudice, it doesn’t capture a regency feel at all.
3. Speaking of improper conduct, I keep seeing this book touted as “clean” but I think otherwise. No, there’s no actual sex or nudity involved, but there’s plenty of innuendo and lustful behavior going on, most of which was unnecessary and only detracted more from a historical feel.
4. The characters either don’t have a personality (looking at you, Selina and Malcolm) or they have a clichéd personality (this would be Julia and Malcolm’s mother - I know I read this like a day ago but I can’t remember her name). They all seem very basic, which is inexcusable given that the cast is very limited. If the author had invested even a little more here, it would have made a big difference.
5. Why does Julia do a complete 180 halfway through?? She basically changes into a completely different character in the middle of the scene and it’s intensely annoying. It felt like a complete cop out on the authors part, who obviously just realized she had no rational behind Mr. Ossory falling in love with her. As I said, she coulda invested a bit more here.
6. I realize this next point is maybe a bit petty, but did anyone else find it irritating that when Mr. Malcolm’s home estate is described she’s obviously describing Pemberley as depicted in the 1995 mini series? The pond, the yellow stone, the gallery...we see you girl. I don’t really have a reason for this. It somehow felt insulting to have Mr. Darcy’s home thrust into this spoofy mess. Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted? (Sorry not sorry.)
7. This is not an exhaustive list, but point is, this book is composed of a large collection of flaws with pretty much nothing to redeem them. The general idea could have been spun into a droll comedy but it was quite sadly bungled into a waste of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2009
I started this book last evening, having read the first chapter online, and could not put it down.
I recently discovered the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig and this was very similar in atmosphere and temper. Light-hearted, well crafted, and a very easy read. I think that fans of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen will find this book a pleasant romp. Mr. Malcolm is reminiscent of Mr. Darcy, a bit rigid in the beginning but quite pliable in the end.
I read this in a single sitting. It is a very quick read ane a quite enjoyable one! I am now very interested in reading Ms. Allain's other novel, Incognito.
I recently discovered the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig and this was very similar in atmosphere and temper. Light-hearted, well crafted, and a very easy read. I think that fans of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen will find this book a pleasant romp. Mr. Malcolm is reminiscent of Mr. Darcy, a bit rigid in the beginning but quite pliable in the end.
I read this in a single sitting. It is a very quick read ane a quite enjoyable one! I am now very interested in reading Ms. Allain's other novel, Incognito.
April 21, 2022
✨I’d probably read it again if I was in a binge of regency romance. (Update: I have never reread this book in the past 2 years lol I was a spring chicken who didn’t reach much historical romances back then and thought I would need to come back to this??)✨
While there were many plots, the writing felt a tad forced or lacking of urgency? I’m not sure if that’s exactly what I mean to say, but maybe the pacing was a bit off, every moment seemed to have the same amount of dedicated time and I think moments between Malcolm and Selina could have been given more space.
I did truly enjoy the narration style and I hope there’s a sequel with married life and Henry and Julia’s life too (maybe a love for Cassie too). If you read this whole thing kudos to you. I would recommend reading this book but I would also recommend Bringing Down the Duke which is still my reigning favorite.
I was also slightly disappointed bc there’s absolutely no sex whatsoever in this book. I suppose I was still in the ‘Bringing Down the Duke’ and other historical romances mindset. Just wanted to let you know as well so you aren’t waiting for it to happen and then it never does. I’ve recently learned that’s a term called “bangxiety” which is hilariously accurate.
Also! There’s going to be a movie which looks wonderful!!! There’s a ten minute or so short that exists on the internet which will get you so jazzed for the film!
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶/5
While there were many plots, the writing felt a tad forced or lacking of urgency? I’m not sure if that’s exactly what I mean to say, but maybe the pacing was a bit off, every moment seemed to have the same amount of dedicated time and I think moments between Malcolm and Selina could have been given more space.
I did truly enjoy the narration style and I hope there’s a sequel with married life and Henry and Julia’s life too (maybe a love for Cassie too). If you read this whole thing kudos to you. I would recommend reading this book but I would also recommend Bringing Down the Duke which is still my reigning favorite.
I was also slightly disappointed bc there’s absolutely no sex whatsoever in this book. I suppose I was still in the ‘Bringing Down the Duke’ and other historical romances mindset. Just wanted to let you know as well so you aren’t waiting for it to happen and then it never does. I’ve recently learned that’s a term called “bangxiety” which is hilariously accurate.
Also! There’s going to be a movie which looks wonderful!!! There’s a ten minute or so short that exists on the internet which will get you so jazzed for the film!
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶/5
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