What do you think?
Rate this book
The Tall Stranger
Is her childhood sweetheart who he seems? Barbie France has known Edward Steyne all her life – indeed they were childhood sweethearts. Charming, spirited, debonair, he is the ideal companion. Everyone, especially Edward, assumes they will marry one day. But Barbie is uneasy. Edward sometimes behaves very oddly. There are his sudden, huge winnings on the race course and the strange affair of Aunt Amalie’s emerald ring. And last, but not least, Barbie is puzzled by his reaction to the handsome stranger she meets at a wedding; for suddenly easy-going Edward becomes hostile and unfriendly… In The Tall Stranger, can Barbie discover the truth, and marry the man she loves? Praise for The Tall 'Those who enjoy light novels full of good humour and kindliness will like this one very much indeed' - Scotsman D. E. Stevenson was born in Edinburgh. Her father was a first cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson. She was educated privately and travelled widely in France and Italy with her parents. She married a major in the Highland Light Infantry and moved with the regiment from place to place gaining valuable experience of life and people.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1957
128 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
D.E. Stevenson
67 books628 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best-selling Scottish author. She published more than 40 romantic novels over a period of more than 40 years. Her father was a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson.
D.E. Stevenson had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Like E.F. Benson, Ann Bridge, O. Douglas or Dorothy L. Sayers (to name but a few) her books are funny, intensely readable, engaging and dependable.
Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best-selling Scottish author. She published more than 40 romantic novels over a period of more than 40 years. Her father was a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson.
D.E. Stevenson had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Like E.F. Benson, Ann Bridge, O. Douglas or Dorothy L. Sayers (to name but a few) her books are funny, intensely readable, engaging and dependable.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
September 11, 2020
Very, very good!! Starts off with a bang... a nerve-wracking walk through impenetrable London fog!
This story is about two roommates, Nell and Barbie. Barbie has been very ill and fallen into such a deep depression that she's not well enough to leave the hospital. Meanwhile, the London fog is reaching practically fatal proportions, and terrible for invalids. Nell, who works for a doctor, makes arrangements to have Barbie sent to her aunt's house in the country. Barbie starts to regain her health and spirits. Meanwhile, her aunt's stepson enters the picture and seems determined that he and Barbie are engaged. Barbie is on the fence about it. At the wedding of a neighbor, she meets an attractive stranger. In the second half of the book, she returns to London to pick up her job as an interior decorator. Her next job involves a castle in Scotland, where she goes as a guest for several days.
I'm purposely leaving out many details, but this is an excellent D.E. Stevenson, where she is really at her best. Nell and Barbie seem like awesome roommates who really "get" each other even though they're different. Barbie's aunt Amalie and her companion/housekeeper are delightful as well.
This story is about two roommates, Nell and Barbie. Barbie has been very ill and fallen into such a deep depression that she's not well enough to leave the hospital. Meanwhile, the London fog is reaching practically fatal proportions, and terrible for invalids. Nell, who works for a doctor, makes arrangements to have Barbie sent to her aunt's house in the country. Barbie starts to regain her health and spirits. Meanwhile, her aunt's stepson enters the picture and seems determined that he and Barbie are engaged. Barbie is on the fence about it. At the wedding of a neighbor, she meets an attractive stranger. In the second half of the book, she returns to London to pick up her job as an interior decorator. Her next job involves a castle in Scotland, where she goes as a guest for several days.
I'm purposely leaving out many details, but this is an excellent D.E. Stevenson, where she is really at her best. Nell and Barbie seem like awesome roommates who really "get" each other even though they're different. Barbie's aunt Amalie and her companion/housekeeper are delightful as well.
October 23, 2025
It’s a wonder to me how any marriages at all that were contracted in the 1950s managed to last—so many were entered into in haste, on short acquaintance, and for seemingly trivial reasons. The heroine of The Tall Stranger is a case in point, for
Barbie is a modern young lady by 1950s standards, living with a friend in a London flat and happily pursuing a career. She becomes seriously ill with the flu and is sent off to recuperate for a ridiculously long time at her aunt’s country estate. It’s clear Barbie inhabits two worlds, the fast-paced business environment of London and the old-fashioned country life of the gentry, not quite faded away. The two Barbies value different things and have different types of temptations, and the conflict between the two drives the plot in a fairly natural way. Although the plot seemed quite predictable, I don’t want to give it away—and the predictability didn’t bother me because I liked Barbie a lot and enjoyed spending time with her.
At one point she is sent to the author’s native Scottish borderlands and has adventures there that both reveal her character and send her life spinning in a new direction she didn’t expect. For modern tastes she probably embraces the change in her life circumstances too easily, but that type of sudden reversal is a staple of the genre and must be accepted as such. At least she doesn’t altogether give up the career she loves at the end!
There are some very dated attitudes expressed (such as the British Empire bringing “civilization” to the world), but one can generally rely on D. E. Stevenson to gently call into question some of the more annoying shibboleths of her age. The eponymous Tall Stranger is a rather headlong, reckless sort of a fellow but if he appeals to Barbie, who am I to judge?
This is the sort of reading I love to turn to in times of stress, and The Tall Stranger satisfied my need just now.
Barbie is a modern young lady by 1950s standards, living with a friend in a London flat and happily pursuing a career. She becomes seriously ill with the flu and is sent off to recuperate for a ridiculously long time at her aunt’s country estate. It’s clear Barbie inhabits two worlds, the fast-paced business environment of London and the old-fashioned country life of the gentry, not quite faded away. The two Barbies value different things and have different types of temptations, and the conflict between the two drives the plot in a fairly natural way. Although the plot seemed quite predictable, I don’t want to give it away—and the predictability didn’t bother me because I liked Barbie a lot and enjoyed spending time with her.
At one point she is sent to the author’s native Scottish borderlands and has adventures there that both reveal her character and send her life spinning in a new direction she didn’t expect. For modern tastes she probably embraces the change in her life circumstances too easily, but that type of sudden reversal is a staple of the genre and must be accepted as such. At least she doesn’t altogether give up the career she loves at the end!
There are some very dated attitudes expressed (such as the British Empire bringing “civilization” to the world), but one can generally rely on D. E. Stevenson to gently call into question some of the more annoying shibboleths of her age. The eponymous Tall Stranger is a rather headlong, reckless sort of a fellow but if he appeals to Barbie, who am I to judge?
This is the sort of reading I love to turn to in times of stress, and The Tall Stranger satisfied my need just now.
May 31, 2025
Second read: 4 stars. A nice, romantic, and cosy story.
3.5 stars. Another lovely story by one of my favorite authors.
3.5 stars. Another lovely story by one of my favorite authors.
April 22, 2025
**4 1/2 stars** This was a delight from beginning to end. In addition, the narrator, Candida Gubbins, was terrific. I enjoy D.E. Stevenson’s books greatly but often with reservations. Sometimes her abrupt endings are a little too abrupt leaving loose ends untied. She often avoids drama like it is something to be ashamed of, so that the most interesting and looked for scenes happen off stage. Her heroines are too often too obtuse, passive, or too averse to pursuing their own happiness or doing what needs to be done for their own good. Sometimes to the point that they cause others to suffer along with them (until it all comes right in the end, of course.) Not so with this one!
Our heroine, Barbie France, has been very ill and has been hospitalized, but is getting worse, not better. Her good friend and roommate, Nell, decides that the atmosphere in London, and lack of peace in the hospital is to blame for her friend’s depression, and maneuvers matters with the help of her doctor/boss to get her to Barbie’s loving aunt at her country home, Underwoods, where she can recover. It does the trick, and soon Barbie is fully recovered under the loving care of her Aunt Amelie and her companion, Penney. Nell has a story too, and there is a secondary romance.
Barbie’s London career as an Interior Decorator (she’s awesome. She loves her job and is great at it) is on hold. While at Underwoods, she attends the wedding of a childhood playmate, and meets a tall stranger at the reception. They are immediately drawn to each other and Barbie invites him to tea the next day. Strangely, he stands her up, and Barbie is very angry and wonders why she feels so upset by such a relatively unimportant snub by someone she hardly knows. Meanwhile, Edward Steyne, Aunt Amalie’s beloved stepson, and her childhood friend appears on the scene. Edward is a charmer and a gadabout. Aunt Amalie seems relieved that he appears to finally be settling down to a respectable job in the city. It’s not long before Edward proposes marriage and Barbie accepts. Partly because she and Edward have always been fond of each other, partly because she thinks it would make Aunt Amalie happy, and partly because Aunt Amalie has told her that her late husband was very insistent that Barbie inherit Underwoods upon her death, not his own son, Edward, and she feels bad about that. Also, why did he want his beloved Underwoods in his nieces hands rather than his own son?
The reader has already picked up on some clues as to Edward’s true character and on the way back to London, Edward unintentionally reveals his true self to Barbie. To my amazement, having been disappointed too often in the past with Stevenson’s heroines, Barbie acts decisively and doesn’t back down. I was thrilled.
We spend some time back in London where we meet up with Nell again, get to know a bedraggled little 8 year old and her floozy mother, and see Barbie settling back into her career in London. It will not be a surprise to anyone even vaguely familiar with D.E. Stevenson’s novels that Barbie is sent to a Scottish castle on a decorating job. It will also not be a surprise that the Wedding Guy just happens to be visiting his sister, Barbie’s client, there. Yes he is her destiny. Henry is just as nice and upstanding as he was at the Wedding, and when he explains what happened to cause him to ghost her, Barbie is even more disgusted with Edward. I had some concerns about Henry when he tried to rush her into a quick marriage. He started to seem as wheedling and manipulative as Edward was except he had a good heart and really loved her. But that impression was put to rest when he was happy for Barbie to continue her career even after marriage. Also, Barbie had already proven her strong-mindedness and steely character, while still being sweet and kind. It was no surprise that her common sense and caution prevailed.
It all comes together in a very satisfactory conclusion. The mistreated little London child even gets a happy ending and Edward’s true character is exposed to all who matter. Unfortunately, that includes Aunt Amalie and I was saddened by her sorrow and disappointment.
Our heroine, Barbie France, has been very ill and has been hospitalized, but is getting worse, not better. Her good friend and roommate, Nell, decides that the atmosphere in London, and lack of peace in the hospital is to blame for her friend’s depression, and maneuvers matters with the help of her doctor/boss to get her to Barbie’s loving aunt at her country home, Underwoods, where she can recover. It does the trick, and soon Barbie is fully recovered under the loving care of her Aunt Amelie and her companion, Penney. Nell has a story too, and there is a secondary romance.
Barbie’s London career as an Interior Decorator (she’s awesome. She loves her job and is great at it) is on hold. While at Underwoods, she attends the wedding of a childhood playmate, and meets a tall stranger at the reception. They are immediately drawn to each other and Barbie invites him to tea the next day. Strangely, he stands her up, and Barbie is very angry and wonders why she feels so upset by such a relatively unimportant snub by someone she hardly knows. Meanwhile, Edward Steyne, Aunt Amalie’s beloved stepson, and her childhood friend appears on the scene. Edward is a charmer and a gadabout. Aunt Amalie seems relieved that he appears to finally be settling down to a respectable job in the city. It’s not long before Edward proposes marriage and Barbie accepts. Partly because she and Edward have always been fond of each other, partly because she thinks it would make Aunt Amalie happy, and partly because Aunt Amalie has told her that her late husband was very insistent that Barbie inherit Underwoods upon her death, not his own son, Edward, and she feels bad about that. Also, why did he want his beloved Underwoods in his nieces hands rather than his own son?
The reader has already picked up on some clues as to Edward’s true character and on the way back to London, Edward unintentionally reveals his true self to Barbie. To my amazement, having been disappointed too often in the past with Stevenson’s heroines, Barbie acts decisively and doesn’t back down. I was thrilled.
We spend some time back in London where we meet up with Nell again, get to know a bedraggled little 8 year old and her floozy mother, and see Barbie settling back into her career in London. It will not be a surprise to anyone even vaguely familiar with D.E. Stevenson’s novels that Barbie is sent to a Scottish castle on a decorating job. It will also not be a surprise that the Wedding Guy just happens to be visiting his sister, Barbie’s client, there. Yes he is her destiny. Henry is just as nice and upstanding as he was at the Wedding, and when he explains what happened to cause him to ghost her, Barbie is even more disgusted with Edward. I had some concerns about Henry when he tried to rush her into a quick marriage. He started to seem as wheedling and manipulative as Edward was except he had a good heart and really loved her. But that impression was put to rest when he was happy for Barbie to continue her career even after marriage. Also, Barbie had already proven her strong-mindedness and steely character, while still being sweet and kind. It was no surprise that her common sense and caution prevailed.
It all comes together in a very satisfactory conclusion. The mistreated little London child even gets a happy ending and Edward’s true character is exposed to all who matter. Unfortunately, that includes Aunt Amalie and I was saddened by her sorrow and disappointment.
May 23, 2017
My re-read of this one did not disappoint! As always I loved the characters and the story. Although a re-read, much of the story was 'new' to me as I discover new twists, or areas of characters that I hadn't seen before.
If DE Stevenson had written a hundred books I would collect them all. As it is, I have to be content with mostly re-prints.
If DE Stevenson had written a hundred books I would collect them all. As it is, I have to be content with mostly re-prints.
February 7, 2023
2023 review:
This book is such a delight. I'm quite glad I re-read it and my review from almost two years ago (!) still holds true. If you're a fan of D.E. Stevenson or enjoyed Little Women and/or L.M. Montgomery's works as a teen, you'll like The Tall Stranger. D.E. Stevenson has such a charming style and she is definitely one of my favorite authors. I definitely recommend this one.
2021 review:
Every book by D.E. Stevenson I read increases my admiration for that great Scottish author. Her masterful prose never fails to delight, her intricate yet simple plots are perfect for her wonderful, realistic characters. And The Tall Stranger didn't let me down.
The Tall Stranger is a clean romance set in early 20th century England, both in London and the country. Roommates Nell and Barbie, the main characters, are both enchanting and sweet young women. Their friendship was very kind and sweet (yes, I know I already used that word but it is perfect for them) and so inspiring. They both were willing to prolong the fulfillment of their happiness for their friend's sake, which was rather funny due to some excellent dramatic irony.
Content: none that comes to mind; perhaps mild language. A little romance and no violence. Recommended to 13+ but best for older readers. When this book was written and published, the young adult genre didn't exist.
This book is such a delight. I'm quite glad I re-read it and my review from almost two years ago (!) still holds true. If you're a fan of D.E. Stevenson or enjoyed Little Women and/or L.M. Montgomery's works as a teen, you'll like The Tall Stranger. D.E. Stevenson has such a charming style and she is definitely one of my favorite authors. I definitely recommend this one.
2021 review:
Every book by D.E. Stevenson I read increases my admiration for that great Scottish author. Her masterful prose never fails to delight, her intricate yet simple plots are perfect for her wonderful, realistic characters. And The Tall Stranger didn't let me down.
The Tall Stranger is a clean romance set in early 20th century England, both in London and the country. Roommates Nell and Barbie, the main characters, are both enchanting and sweet young women. Their friendship was very kind and sweet (yes, I know I already used that word but it is perfect for them) and so inspiring. They both were willing to prolong the fulfillment of their happiness for their friend's sake, which was rather funny due to some excellent dramatic irony.
Content: none that comes to mind; perhaps mild language. A little romance and no violence. Recommended to 13+ but best for older readers. When this book was written and published, the young adult genre didn't exist.
February 6, 2020
D. E. Stevenson is a favorite author. This particular novel is more of a straight romance than some of her others, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Many of her favorite themes are sprinkled throughout: love of country life, friendly romance, and the importance of home and family. Delightful.
December 29, 2024
Quite enjoyable.
November 27, 2015
DE Stevenson at her best. Her ability to concoct a plot involving a dire situation with a winsome heroine who must endure both loathsome and lovable characters absolutely shines in one of her post-war stories.
Poor Barbie--she nearly dies from some sort of wasting illness and nearly loses the will to live until BFF Nell convinces the doctors to send her off to the country to her Aunt Amalie's charming and soothing home. It's there that Barbie finally recovers and renews her ties with old relationships while forming new ones. Romance, intrigue, marvelous characterization.
This particular story reminds me of one of fun Cary Grant/Katherine Hepburn comedy romances with an underlying subplot involving a precocious child. I still can't figure out why her books never made it into films.
Poor Barbie--she nearly dies from some sort of wasting illness and nearly loses the will to live until BFF Nell convinces the doctors to send her off to the country to her Aunt Amalie's charming and soothing home. It's there that Barbie finally recovers and renews her ties with old relationships while forming new ones. Romance, intrigue, marvelous characterization.
This particular story reminds me of one of fun Cary Grant/Katherine Hepburn comedy romances with an underlying subplot involving a precocious child. I still can't figure out why her books never made it into films.
April 20, 2012
I wish publishers would consider republishing D.E. Stevenson's books. Every year there are fewer of them. Stevenson has a wonderful ability to get completely inside her characters with humor and insight.
February 10, 2022
3.5, this is a loose sequel to Five Windows, and I did enjoy the connections with that book, though The Tall Stranger can certainly be read as a standalone. There were parts of this that were a five-star read, especially when Barbie is with Penney and her Aunt Amalie, when she's working at her interior design business, and when she's with Nell. So basically Barbie is a five-star character, as well as Aunt Amalie. And Nell. And Penney could be if we got more of her. I thought the men in this were weak on the whole, even the love interest was a little flat. Edward is just an outright cad. That being said, I still enjoyed reading it and will most certainly re-read it. DES is wonderful!
July 12, 2017
I really liked this story. I was sooo relieved when It was interesting to see how formally the two young women ( Barbie and Nell) treated each other; well, it was mostly Barbie playing her cards close to her chest, so to speak.
The descriptions of the gardens at Underhill were lovely-D. E. Stevenson sure can make you feel a warm, drowsy summer's day.
I want to read more of this author. I agree with another reviewer about the book cover-it looks so cheesy and is just terrible! Please disregard the cover! This is a good book!
The descriptions of the gardens at Underhill were lovely-D. E. Stevenson sure can make you feel a warm, drowsy summer's day.
I want to read more of this author. I agree with another reviewer about the book cover-it looks so cheesy and is just terrible! Please disregard the cover! This is a good book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2011
Cover looks cheesy
Title sounds cheesy
Not actually cheesy
Title sounds cheesy
Not actually cheesy
July 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! It was well written, fast paced and very romantic! ❤️
May 24, 2024
4.5🌟 I'm down to the last 10 or so books to read by D.E. Stevenson and this one was a definite winner!
Although I'm sometimes tricked by a lovely vintage cover, this book was also just as lovely inside as it was outside. DES has such a wonderful way of writing which transforms dull and weary situations into interesting intrigues and the everyday mundane into absolutely coziness.
The two romantic story lines of Nell and her roommate, Barbie France, are addictive and fun to follow. Though the story mostly involves Barbie, her illness and recovery, her childhood playmate Edward (who is now a handsome and charming adult), and her generous and caring Aunt Amalie, the reader has a few delightful sections with attractive and alluring Nell.
Another endearing and utterly irresistible novel by my favorite author. Highly recommended!
Although I'm sometimes tricked by a lovely vintage cover, this book was also just as lovely inside as it was outside. DES has such a wonderful way of writing which transforms dull and weary situations into interesting intrigues and the everyday mundane into absolutely coziness.
The two romantic story lines of Nell and her roommate, Barbie France, are addictive and fun to follow. Though the story mostly involves Barbie, her illness and recovery, her childhood playmate Edward (who is now a handsome and charming adult), and her generous and caring Aunt Amalie, the reader has a few delightful sections with attractive and alluring Nell.
Another endearing and utterly irresistible novel by my favorite author. Highly recommended!
May 18, 2020
Finished up some side characters introduced in Five Windows.
July 28, 2022
Not as good as some others, 3.5 * actually.
2018 re-read and I really enjoyed this, it earns 4 *. I just wish all her books were available on Kindle.
2018 re-read and I really enjoyed this, it earns 4 *. I just wish all her books were available on Kindle.
February 21, 2022
4.5 stars
February 5, 2020
One of my favorites by a favorite author for when you need reminder that life isn't always stressful, pressured, frenetic.
August 8, 2024
I had only previously read The Fair Miss Fortune by D.E. Stevenson and I had middling expectations, not because I hadn't liked The Fair Miss Fortune but because my experiences reading books from the Furrowed Middlebrow line are a bit of a mixed bag. But I was pleasantly surprised by how readable this book was and how much I enjoyed it.
Like similar middlebrow books set in this time period, the story moved at a jaunty pace without sometimes stopping to reflect longer on characters' emotions, unlike today's literary fiction. The characters and pacing were agreeable and I appreciated the lack of jadedness that accompanies much contemporary fiction.
There were, I believe, some derogatory references to other races which were of its time and a threat of drowning of baby animals (it didn't happen but the mention may still be traumatic).
Overall, I want to race out and pick up several more D.E. Stevensons.
Like similar middlebrow books set in this time period, the story moved at a jaunty pace without sometimes stopping to reflect longer on characters' emotions, unlike today's literary fiction. The characters and pacing were agreeable and I appreciated the lack of jadedness that accompanies much contemporary fiction.
There were, I believe, some derogatory references to other races which were of its time and a threat of drowning of baby animals (it didn't happen but the mention may still be traumatic).
Overall, I want to race out and pick up several more D.E. Stevensons.
April 30, 2025
A charming romance with a bit of humor, here and there.
There were a bit darker/complex topics too, like .
It was an enjoyable read that I needed - thank you Rebekah.
[3.5 stars]
There were a bit darker/complex topics too, like .
It was an enjoyable read that I needed - thank you Rebekah.
[3.5 stars]
February 22, 2020
This is one of those books you read and reread quickly, when you're in need of a little excursion into a kinder, more elegant world. Barbie France is a career girl in post-war England who's been struck down by a virus (mononucleosis?). Run-down, she spends her convalescence with her loving aunt Amalie in her delightful home, Underwoods. During a social occasion she meets a tall strange, one Henry Buckland, who seems quite taken with her at first sight. She demurely asks him to tea and is quite disappointed when he doesn't turn up. Shortly after Barbie becomes engaged to her childhood companion Edward, Aunt Amalie's stepson, and she returns to London to take up her work as an interior decorator again. Realizing that Edward is not the man she thought he was, she breaks her engagement and seizes upon the opportunity to visit a castle in Scotland that's in dire need of a freshening-up and get away from all her troubles.
A soothing book, a world in which young women can take several months of sick leave, where there are loving aunts and their companions to spoil them, where business is conducted in a sphere of genteel politeness, where kind-hearted hostesses are willing to accept unknown children into their homes.... There's tea, dogs, flowers, decorous wooing.... all very yummy, very soothing.
A soothing book, a world in which young women can take several months of sick leave, where there are loving aunts and their companions to spoil them, where business is conducted in a sphere of genteel politeness, where kind-hearted hostesses are willing to accept unknown children into their homes.... There's tea, dogs, flowers, decorous wooing.... all very yummy, very soothing.
April 17, 2020
I’m so glad I’ve found D E Stephenson. This book was exactly what I needed in lockdown. A lovely, sweet read, set in the UK in another time (the 1950s?). It reminded me of (dare I say it) Georgette Heyer, in that the characters feel real, warm, kind, and smart, the tale is gentle yet absorbing, and it allows you to escape to another time. (Of course it doesn’t compete with Heyer’s romances and wit, but who can?)
I have posted a review of another D E Stephenson book called The Blue Sapphire, and there were similarities between that and The Tall Stranger – the plot included a jewel, and an engagement that didn’t seem quite right, and young women finding their way. Perhaps it helped to have had a long gap between reading each one, but I loved this iteration as well.
Just a note – I have just read the blurb on Goodreads, and warn you not to read it! It gives away the whole story. I read this book not knowing anything about it, so was taken along for the journey.
I will continue on to read more D E Stephenson!
I have posted a review of another D E Stephenson book called The Blue Sapphire, and there were similarities between that and The Tall Stranger – the plot included a jewel, and an engagement that didn’t seem quite right, and young women finding their way. Perhaps it helped to have had a long gap between reading each one, but I loved this iteration as well.
Just a note – I have just read the blurb on Goodreads, and warn you not to read it! It gives away the whole story. I read this book not knowing anything about it, so was taken along for the journey.
I will continue on to read more D E Stephenson!
August 22, 2020
Reading D E Stevenson is always a delight. I wish she had written hundreds of books. I loved this story and characters. Her books need to be reprinted. I’d buy them all.
September 14, 2025
Somehow, although this is a comfort read for me, it isn't really a favorite....What I like--the main character is a young woman with a career as an interior designer, and she is so valued and competent that the man who runs the company offers her a partnership, and the romantic interest she becomes engaged to encourages her not to give up her work. I enjoy the bits where she is interior decorating a Scottish mish-mash castle lots. I also like the m.c.'s best friend, who gets a very, very satisfying romance of her own that includes Shakespeare banter.
What I don't like--the strange suspenseful bit up in Scotland where things get briefly gothic. It was jarring. I would like the beautiful house m.c. is going to inherit lots, but it was over described and so perfect and wonderful it made me jealous. Also annoying how m.c. loses weight as a result of illness, and everyone is stunned by how beautiful she is now. Also annoyed by m.c. being so wonderful that when a small child is lost and found, she's tucked into m.c.'s bed instead of her own loving mother's.
What I don't like--the strange suspenseful bit up in Scotland where things get briefly gothic. It was jarring. I would like the beautiful house m.c. is going to inherit lots, but it was over described and so perfect and wonderful it made me jealous. Also annoying how m.c. loses weight as a result of illness, and everyone is stunned by how beautiful she is now. Also annoyed by m.c. being so wonderful that when a small child is lost and found, she's tucked into m.c.'s bed instead of her own loving mother's.
December 18, 2021
Sometimes I wish DE Stevenson’s books started a bit farther along in the story — and continued beyond their stopping point. I know the abrupt ending is one of her trademarks, but I so wanted to follow these characters further along in their stories.
I didn’t warm to the book in the beginning, but I soon fell in love with major and as well as minor characters — and of course Underhills. It was also nice to see DES present the idea of a woman who loves her career.
I didn’t warm to the book in the beginning, but I soon fell in love with major and as well as minor characters — and of course Underhills. It was also nice to see DES present the idea of a woman who loves her career.
April 7, 2022
Rather pleasantly for a romance of this era, a key component in "which gentleman should the heroine choose?" is "which guy agrees that she should keep working at the job she loves on after getting married?"
August 30, 2020
Delightful
Just sweet, simple, and satisfying. Well written and clever. I really enjoyed it. There’s a Scottish castle! What’s not to love?
Just sweet, simple, and satisfying. Well written and clever. I really enjoyed it. There’s a Scottish castle! What’s not to love?
February 16, 2023
2 1/2 stars
Sometimes I find simplistic writing to be cozy, charming and sweet... and sometimes I just find it simplistic.
Sometimes I find simplistic writing to be cozy, charming and sweet... and sometimes I just find it simplistic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews