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Regencies #3
Impetuous Innocent
After her father's death, Georgiana Hartley found herself at the mercy of her lecherous cousin. Seeking refuge at the neighboring estate, she came across a danger of another sort in the form of Dominic Ridgely, Viscount Alton of Candlewick, who was only too willing to help her, even in such a highly improper situation.
331 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
212 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,589 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
August 8, 2014
3 "I hate to rate this story so low" stars... but this is a review of the audio book and the narrator really took away from my overall enjoyment.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 2 stars
Overall rating: 3 stars
Quickie description: Georgiana Hartley finds herself jumping from the frying pan into the fire when she flees the unwanted advances of her vile cousin Charles, and ends up being 'protected' by Dominic Ridgely, Viscount of Candlewick, a man who's more a danger to her heart than Charles could ever be to her body.
Quickie Review: Honestly, the story isn't without flaws, but it's quite entertaining. So much so, in fact, that when I could no longer stand listening to the audio and the narrator's 'wet mouth' noises, I bought the Kindle version and carried on. And I'm glad I did.
You can read my full review in the upcoming September-October issue of Affaire de Coeur Magazine
Title: Impetuous Innocent
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Narrator: Polly Lee
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Format: Audio CDs (8) Unabridged – 9 hours : 36 minutes
Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1441883902
***
June 12, 2009
This book definitely has it's flaws but it depends on how much your willing to look past it, I guess, and I did so easily, even happily. Sure the heroine has her moments, you know those moments, where she needs a good hard shake until her brains rattle but I couldn't help liking this book.
Miss Georgiana Hartley has come to Candlewick Hall to to beg for assistance against her lecherous cousin, Charles. (what is it about cousins coming onto cousins in these books? Yuck!) Unfortunately there isn't a sympathetic lady in residence, but the incredibly handsome Lord Dominic Ridgely. Normally Dominic wouldn't be caught within a hundred yards of a young marriageable miss, but he knows Charles and can guess at her situation and so he takes pity on her. He sends her to his sister and her husband in London with the instructions to introduce her into the ton, sure in the fact she'll land a husband quickly so he won't have to worry about her. The second she leaves however, Dominic can't stop thinking about her. After forcing himself to stay away, he finally breaks down and comes to London sternly telling himself it's only for a brief look at Georgiana. Just to make sure she's settling in nicely.
Our hero and heroine play the game for awhile. She likes him and he likes her but they circle around each other, letting neither one know their feelings. Finally Dominic can't hide his desire from her or from his family and tells Georgiana that he wants to marry her. This declaration brings about The Big Misunderstanding. Georgiana believes he's only proposing out of pity and continues in this belief for a reaaallllyyy loooooooong time.
While this book follows the same old tired plot contrivances and I should by rights, despise it, I liked the book. I found Dominic personable, desirable and roguish while Georgie is adorable. She definitely, definitely has her TSTL moments. It seems she walks around with her head in the clouds, unable to see things until they leap out at her, dancing and screaming, "Look At Me!" She refuses to believe Dominic loves her or feels desire for her to the point of ridiculousness that makes you feel that Stephanie Laurens must have needed to keep writing to meet a set page quota. I rather found Georgie's naivety endearing but at times unbelievable, especially when the author makes her a sophisticated, witty conversationalist, able to outwit and outfox the great Beau Brummel himself. That was a stretch of the imagination. I felt you can't have it both ways. She's either dumb as a doorknob or smart as a whip. She can't be both.
This book has the standard surprise inheritance that Georgiana didn't know she had and of course the obligatory dastardly cousin who is out to steal it. Even as I'm writing this, I really shouldn't have liked this book but I just do. I can't explain it except to say that it just worked for me, flaws and all. Georgie is just so....cute. It's a little patronizing, the feelings I have for her, and I'm sure it's not unlike the feelings Dominic felt for her. She's incredibly young and well, innocent as the title of this book suggests. I can understand the appeal someone such as her would have on an incredibly jaded creature as Dominic Ridgeley but Stephanie Laurens makes her at times childlike and so when they finally do get hot and heavy, there's a squick factor that's a little nasty. Thankfully it's not until the end of the book. Again, this book was so formulaic and so full of the ridiculous that I should be embarrassed to admit I liked it, but I do.
Miss Georgiana Hartley has come to Candlewick Hall to to beg for assistance against her lecherous cousin, Charles. (what is it about cousins coming onto cousins in these books? Yuck!) Unfortunately there isn't a sympathetic lady in residence, but the incredibly handsome Lord Dominic Ridgely. Normally Dominic wouldn't be caught within a hundred yards of a young marriageable miss, but he knows Charles and can guess at her situation and so he takes pity on her. He sends her to his sister and her husband in London with the instructions to introduce her into the ton, sure in the fact she'll land a husband quickly so he won't have to worry about her. The second she leaves however, Dominic can't stop thinking about her. After forcing himself to stay away, he finally breaks down and comes to London sternly telling himself it's only for a brief look at Georgiana. Just to make sure she's settling in nicely.
Our hero and heroine play the game for awhile. She likes him and he likes her but they circle around each other, letting neither one know their feelings. Finally Dominic can't hide his desire from her or from his family and tells Georgiana that he wants to marry her. This declaration brings about The Big Misunderstanding. Georgiana believes he's only proposing out of pity and continues in this belief for a reaaallllyyy loooooooong time.
While this book follows the same old tired plot contrivances and I should by rights, despise it, I liked the book. I found Dominic personable, desirable and roguish while Georgie is adorable. She definitely, definitely has her TSTL moments. It seems she walks around with her head in the clouds, unable to see things until they leap out at her, dancing and screaming, "Look At Me!" She refuses to believe Dominic loves her or feels desire for her to the point of ridiculousness that makes you feel that Stephanie Laurens must have needed to keep writing to meet a set page quota. I rather found Georgie's naivety endearing but at times unbelievable, especially when the author makes her a sophisticated, witty conversationalist, able to outwit and outfox the great Beau Brummel himself. That was a stretch of the imagination. I felt you can't have it both ways. She's either dumb as a doorknob or smart as a whip. She can't be both.
This book has the standard surprise inheritance that Georgiana didn't know she had and of course the obligatory dastardly cousin who is out to steal it. Even as I'm writing this, I really shouldn't have liked this book but I just do. I can't explain it except to say that it just worked for me, flaws and all. Georgie is just so....cute. It's a little patronizing, the feelings I have for her, and I'm sure it's not unlike the feelings Dominic felt for her. She's incredibly young and well, innocent as the title of this book suggests. I can understand the appeal someone such as her would have on an incredibly jaded creature as Dominic Ridgeley but Stephanie Laurens makes her at times childlike and so when they finally do get hot and heavy, there's a squick factor that's a little nasty. Thankfully it's not until the end of the book. Again, this book was so formulaic and so full of the ridiculous that I should be embarrassed to admit I liked it, but I do.
May 26, 2019
biraz fazla uzatıldığını düşünüyorum.
aksiyon yok denecek kadar az.
klasik historicallardan biraz farklı o yüzden.
öyle bir aman aman entrika, aksiyon, atarlı-giderli bir durum yok :D
aksiyon yok denecek kadar az.
klasik historicallardan biraz farklı o yüzden.
öyle bir aman aman entrika, aksiyon, atarlı-giderli bir durum yok :D
October 29, 2012
Complete fluff, too light even for brain candy. No serious, compelling plot. A heroine who's tstl for a Regency. Main male lead is a wordly man of the ton, who is considerably older and wiser than the heroine, yet he inexplicably feels a pull towards her anyway. Utterly unbelievable love story.
September 24, 2018
Sıkılmadan okunabilen akılda kalmayan vakit geçirelecek kitaplardan.. Fazla uzatılmış gibi geldi.
April 27, 2018
Great novel! Traditional Regency & proper English spelling!!! Absolutely love that fact!!!!
The plot itself was good! Misunderstanding aplenty which could be tedious at times, but love the characters even the minor ones were well developed!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! :)
The plot itself was good! Misunderstanding aplenty which could be tedious at times, but love the characters even the minor ones were well developed!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! :)
August 23, 2017
Georgiana'nın zart zurt reddettiği evlilik teklifleri saç-baş yoldurur.
@ilknur a.ka.a iko, @Ezgi düzeltim. 😜
@ilknur a.ka.a iko, @Ezgi düzeltim. 😜
November 13, 2014
13/11 - So light it was like fairy floss. Light on the romance and light on the plot believability. The heroine, Georgiana, spent the whole book believing there was no way the hero, Dominic, could actually be in love with her. She came up with all kinds of crazy reasons for her disbelief - in love with another, marrying her for her property, and finally marrying her to avoid creating a scandal.
There were a few things I liked about the story - I liked the fact that the hero realised he was in love quite early, and didn't do everything he could to deny his feelings. I liked the way Dominic kept having to rescue Georgiana from herself was amusing, though for me not LOL.
I did not like Georgiana's constant disbelief of Dominic's love, one or two times would have been amusing, the third time was like "Again?! Come on! This is getting ridiculous." I've never been a fan of such 'light' romance, and in this particular book Dominic's strength of 'restraint' in not shocking or scaring virginal Georgiana was quite irritating. If all the other 'experienced' heroes of regency romances had used such restraint a lot of marriages (and therefore children and sequels) would not have happened. For example, her Cynster series would not have been nearly so long-lasting or popular if those regency heroes had been restrained enough to hold out till marriage, in fact her Cynster Sisters series might not have happened at all.
My 'did not like' paragraph is considerably longer than my 'did like' paragraph, but despite that it's managed to get a three out of me, mostly because it was perfect 'I'm not feeling well' (really) light reading that didn't tax my brain in any way (except in believability), and therefore didn't add to my 'I'm not feeling well' woes.
There were a few things I liked about the story - I liked the fact that the hero realised he was in love quite early, and didn't do everything he could to deny his feelings. I liked the way Dominic kept having to rescue Georgiana from herself was amusing, though for me not LOL.
I did not like Georgiana's constant disbelief of Dominic's love, one or two times would have been amusing, the third time was like "Again?! Come on! This is getting ridiculous." I've never been a fan of such 'light' romance, and in this particular book Dominic's strength of 'restraint' in not shocking or scaring virginal Georgiana was quite irritating. If all the other 'experienced' heroes of regency romances had used such restraint a lot of marriages (and therefore children and sequels) would not have happened. For example, her Cynster series would not have been nearly so long-lasting or popular if those regency heroes had been restrained enough to hold out till marriage, in fact her Cynster Sisters series might not have happened at all.
My 'did not like' paragraph is considerably longer than my 'did like' paragraph, but despite that it's managed to get a three out of me, mostly because it was perfect 'I'm not feeling well' (really) light reading that didn't tax my brain in any way (except in believability), and therefore didn't add to my 'I'm not feeling well' woes.
May 22, 2014
Georgiana is basically too innocent to function. Dominic is like such a rake! He convinces his sister to launch her in society and when he stops in for a visit he's ~STRUCK. She's in insta-love; he figures out his man-feelings and hijinks ensue!
1) This was decently written! Overly simplistic and somewhat repetitious, yes, but the majority of characters were interesting and I was suitably intrigued by the story to keep reading.
2) HOWEVER, some of the December-May tropes were a little gross. Yes, there's a gap of 14 years between the hero and heroine--there's a larger one between the hero's sister and her husband--but it was more the continual reliance upon his ~greater experience and her inability to stand up to him that really got my goat. Take the following for example:
3) It almost felt as though Laurens was channeling Heyer, slightly, with some of the wryness and the ~hardened rake meets overt innocent trope. It didn't quite come together as Heyer usually does, however, and instead of rising above its problematic elements, Impetuous Innocent rather gets mired down and lost in them.
1) This was decently written! Overly simplistic and somewhat repetitious, yes, but the majority of characters were interesting and I was suitably intrigued by the story to keep reading.
2) HOWEVER, some of the December-May tropes were a little gross. Yes, there's a gap of 14 years between the hero and heroine--there's a larger one between the hero's sister and her husband--but it was more the continual reliance upon his ~greater experience and her inability to stand up to him that really got my goat. Take the following for example:
And, as happened so often before, in the warm blue of his gaze, she felt their wills collide and hers melt away.See, to me, that isn't romantic. It's overbearing and domineering and it doesn't make me feel all warm and swoon-y. It makes me feel rather as though Georgiana should run and run fast.
3) It almost felt as though Laurens was channeling Heyer, slightly, with some of the wryness and the ~hardened rake meets overt innocent trope. It didn't quite come together as Heyer usually does, however, and instead of rising above its problematic elements, Impetuous Innocent rather gets mired down and lost in them.
July 3, 2017
Leído en Mayo de 2009
Estuvo bien...
Estuvo bien...
December 17, 2015
Worst Stephanie Laurens book I have read (and I think I have read 90% of them) I love her Cynster and Bastion Club novels that are romantic, steamy, and entertaining with clever witty exchanges between characters. I can only assume this book was written before Ms. Laurens developed her engaging author's voice and the delight of her mature female heroines.
This book sets up at the beginning that the hero is attracted to the heroine even if she is only 18 because she was raised in Italy and has a polish and maturity unlike the other debs.
However the longer the book drags on, every cliched obstacle to a HEA is thrown in. Just when you think they are past one, then another moment of the Heroine's hysteria is thrown in. Melodrama and misunderstandings are fueled by her insecurities, inexperience and lack of self confidence - the longer the book went on, the more the actions and personality of the heroine drove me crazy - I kept wanting to tell him to run, run away fast....I have margin notes re: considering DNF at least 5 or 6 times.
Very disappointed - would not recommend if you like her Cynster and Bastion Club novels....
This book sets up at the beginning that the hero is attracted to the heroine even if she is only 18 because she was raised in Italy and has a polish and maturity unlike the other debs.
However the longer the book drags on, every cliched obstacle to a HEA is thrown in. Just when you think they are past one, then another moment of the Heroine's hysteria is thrown in. Melodrama and misunderstandings are fueled by her insecurities, inexperience and lack of self confidence - the longer the book went on, the more the actions and personality of the heroine drove me crazy - I kept wanting to tell him to run, run away fast....I have margin notes re: considering DNF at least 5 or 6 times.
Very disappointed - would not recommend if you like her Cynster and Bastion Club novels....
April 13, 2020
Overall, I loved this book! Dominic is an absolute sweetheart, and Georgiana is so charming. There were a number of grammar errors I found irritating, but these were not distracting from the quality of the book. Definitely one of my new favorites!
January 23, 2021
So freaking cute!! I love how Dominic has to keep using different ways to convince Georgiana that he loves her! And Bella is wonderful as a sister and chaperone!
December 29, 2011
Georgiana has to be the most oblivious and annoying creature I've run across in romantic literature in a long time. While at first her innocence is charming, it quickly becomes annoying as she sits in astonished bewilderment far more often than any woman of modest intelligence should. Also, her doubts about Dominic are incredible to me. Loving someone whom you'd be willing to marry implies to me that you know something about their character and that you trust them.** Love without knowledge and trust of the person is nothing but infatuation. So if Georgiana was infatuated with Dominic, then her doubts about his love for her are reasonable; since she obviously knows nothing of his character or whether she can trust him or not, she can easily doubt him. Unfortunately the author makes a point to say that Georgiana is not infatuated, so her doubt of his affection and motives makes no sense. And the fact that she won't talk to him about her concerns calls her feelings into question even more. She's the kind of girl who's most likely to mistake sex for love; if Dominic had seduced her halfway through the book, the story would have been half as long. Apparently all Georgiana needed to know was that he was going to kiss her like he kissed his mistress and she would have consented to be his wife much sooner.
Finally, if I had to hear one more time how mesmerizing Dominic's gaze is supposed to be, I think I'd have to track down the author and slap her. Honestly, what self-respecting woman loses her train of thought so frequently when she looks into a man's eyes? It might be understandable for a time - anyone gets nervous around someone they like - but after rejecting his suit before he even asks (thrice no less!), she should be able to meet his eyes without her brain turning to jello every time. And I can even make allowances for her losing her train of thought occassionally after that first nervousness wears off - sometimes the look in your love's eyes just takes your breath away - but not every time. I think if Georgiana had a bit more backbone or seemed to mature somewhat during the course of the book, I would have enjoyed the story more. Instead I felt like Dominic would have been better off with scheming Lady Changley since she, at least, could hold a coherent thought in her head around him.
**I realize that historically marriages weren't made on knowledge and trust, but this book is not part of the historical record and since the author insists Georgie is in love with Dominic, I must believe that the rules of actual marriages of the time didn't apply.
Finally, if I had to hear one more time how mesmerizing Dominic's gaze is supposed to be, I think I'd have to track down the author and slap her. Honestly, what self-respecting woman loses her train of thought so frequently when she looks into a man's eyes? It might be understandable for a time - anyone gets nervous around someone they like - but after rejecting his suit before he even asks (thrice no less!), she should be able to meet his eyes without her brain turning to jello every time. And I can even make allowances for her losing her train of thought occassionally after that first nervousness wears off - sometimes the look in your love's eyes just takes your breath away - but not every time. I think if Georgiana had a bit more backbone or seemed to mature somewhat during the course of the book, I would have enjoyed the story more. Instead I felt like Dominic would have been better off with scheming Lady Changley since she, at least, could hold a coherent thought in her head around him.
**I realize that historically marriages weren't made on knowledge and trust, but this book is not part of the historical record and since the author insists Georgie is in love with Dominic, I must believe that the rules of actual marriages of the time didn't apply.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2012
Yep, I read a romance last night. Now normally I read books that aren't just pure fluff, but it was Valentine's Day and my boyfriend was snoring beside me...you get the the picture. Now, about the book itself. It was actually a really good read, and I enjoyed the banter and fluff between Dominic and Georgiana. Her complete belief that the gorgeous lord could ever find her attractive is believable at first, but then falls down a little toward the end because it's overdone.
Still, I enjoyed reading this one. I don't know why, but I guess all of us have to read something simple once in a while, and something out of character. It made the story seem fresh for me, when I know it probably wasn't. Plus mine has an absolutely gorgeous cover that wasn't found in any editions here, with a pinkish white dress that had me interested from the start; I fall in love with dress descriptions, after all. :D
Still, I enjoyed reading this one. I don't know why, but I guess all of us have to read something simple once in a while, and something out of character. It made the story seem fresh for me, when I know it probably wasn't. Plus mine has an absolutely gorgeous cover that wasn't found in any editions here, with a pinkish white dress that had me interested from the start; I fall in love with dress descriptions, after all. :D
December 20, 2010
Cute, quick romantic read. There wasn't a lot of depth to it, but it was very light-hearted and fun to breeze through. The main characters were interesting, the regency setting was fun, and the story was cute. Georgianna was stubborn to a fault and I found her irritating at times. I loved Bella and Arthur. Dominic may have been very handsome, but his attitude, schemeing, and mechinizations were very bothersome to me. Lots of sexual tension, a well-laid plot, and a nice conclusion. I guess you shouldn't ask more from your romances, but I do.
January 11, 2013
I liked this one. Sometimes Georgie was so innocent that it got on my nerves. Especially since she lived in Italy most of her life. But what really made this story was the fact that what was proper in England was just not so in Italy. It was a good read. It made me laugh and mad sometimes but it was still simply good.
Happy Reading!!! :)
Happy Reading!!! :)
April 5, 2018
I liked this light, gentle regency romance, a reissue of a 1994 novel. It does not have the typical elements of Stephanie Lauren's later romances, lacking a mystery or suspense backstory and steamy scenes. Instead, it's a simple, clean romance.
June 16, 2015
Gostei...
September 27, 2024
September Readathon
2+
Sweet and inconsequential, but I didn't mind the sweetness. And very clearly an early effort in a now-established writing career. Just look to choices like "expostulated, interrogatively, disclaimed" in an all-out avoidant war on the word "said" as proof.
Toss in a jumble of POVs quickly shifting from one to the next depending on page and even paragraph, several cliches including the repetition of the hero's incredible and incredibly blue eyes, and you have a nascent author's Regency written as based on other Regencies.
What you expect is what happens.
I wish the heroine had kept more of her 'different' confidence and didn't turn into a distracted and overwhelmed girl in the face of realizing she loved the hero. Her refusing him thrice was thin, but at least it was given some grounding and had three different reasons she offered rather than give in and admit she was convinced he couldn't love her, and with that, life with him just wouldn't do.
And I wish the hero had taken a bit more direct action, given he's supposed to know his mind and everyone else's, as the masterful lord he is.
For that, I liked its chasteness. The newer trend of the hero trying to make his point by kissing the heroine senseless or tugging her into the library to finger her to her first known orgasm--and then return her to the ball nbd--gets tiring. And doesn't always follow! lol. Don't misapprehend; sometimes it's great, but now it's so expected there's a paint by number or ticking boxes quality to it in more recent books.
So, I'll take this different iteration of him being very, very proper, against his wants and grain, in trying to make her his and accept his suit/proposal.
Quite the lifeline the author throws us right from the start in the so-happy marriage of the hero's sister to her much older husband. This establishes immediately not to mind the age gap between him and the heroine, as it's the stories that end best and well, clearly.
The leads are a good match, for no better reason than we weren't given to think they weren't. I'm not sure why they fell in love other than it's a meant to be situation. Fine. And since she got so close and caring with the sister&husband, they'll make a fine foursome in their shared HEA.
2+
Sweet and inconsequential, but I didn't mind the sweetness. And very clearly an early effort in a now-established writing career. Just look to choices like "expostulated, interrogatively, disclaimed" in an all-out avoidant war on the word "said" as proof.
Toss in a jumble of POVs quickly shifting from one to the next depending on page and even paragraph, several cliches including the repetition of the hero's incredible and incredibly blue eyes, and you have a nascent author's Regency written as based on other Regencies.
What you expect is what happens.
I wish the heroine had kept more of her 'different' confidence and didn't turn into a distracted and overwhelmed girl in the face of realizing she loved the hero. Her refusing him thrice was thin, but at least it was given some grounding and had three different reasons she offered rather than give in and admit she was convinced he couldn't love her, and with that, life with him just wouldn't do.
And I wish the hero had taken a bit more direct action, given he's supposed to know his mind and everyone else's, as the masterful lord he is.
For that, I liked its chasteness. The newer trend of the hero trying to make his point by kissing the heroine senseless or tugging her into the library to finger her to her first known orgasm--and then return her to the ball nbd--gets tiring. And doesn't always follow! lol. Don't misapprehend; sometimes it's great, but now it's so expected there's a paint by number or ticking boxes quality to it in more recent books.
So, I'll take this different iteration of him being very, very proper, against his wants and grain, in trying to make her his and accept his suit/proposal.
Quite the lifeline the author throws us right from the start in the so-happy marriage of the hero's sister to her much older husband. This establishes immediately not to mind the age gap between him and the heroine, as it's the stories that end best and well, clearly.
The leads are a good match, for no better reason than we weren't given to think they weren't. I'm not sure why they fell in love other than it's a meant to be situation. Fine. And since she got so close and caring with the sister&husband, they'll make a fine foursome in their shared HEA.
March 11, 2024
I stopped reading about halfway through, though the book lost me when Georgians (internally) proclaimed her love for Lord Alton. She dismisses the possibility of an infatuation because she's liked him for weeks. Weeks! He wasn't present for those weeks. No, the two had seen each other on two days at that pointand held a conversation on one of them. The man helped her escape a cousin and set her up in London. It was a nice, gallant moment that earned major hero points, but her claim just showcased her immaturity compared to his (~12 year age gap); he actually (internally) expressed interest in spending time with her to see if his interest was fleeting.
Spoilers
Time is spent with her pining and thinking he loves another and that she'll just remain unmarried and presumably sad. He figures out he wants to marry her, but doesn't tell her he'd like to court her because why would two people actually talk and interact intimately (emotionally or physically) in a romance novel? Actually, I'm fine with the lack of physical intimacy where I stopped as that seems appropriate for the current state of their (non) relationship.
I kept reading beyond that infatuation called love frustration only for Georgie to showcase her immaturity again, and for Dominic to not talk to her about his intent again. Sigh. Half way through the book I want more character connection.
Ignoring the romance, Lord Alton is a character I'd like to know more. He's somewhat similar to the author's Cynster characters, but a bit more refined/elegant and a bit less aggressive/primal, at least so far, than I remember them being. He also seems more coldly calculating. Too bad I won't be finishing his book.
Spoilers
Time is spent with her pining and thinking he loves another and that she'll just remain unmarried and presumably sad. He figures out he wants to marry her, but doesn't tell her he'd like to court her because why would two people actually talk and interact intimately (emotionally or physically) in a romance novel? Actually, I'm fine with the lack of physical intimacy where I stopped as that seems appropriate for the current state of their (non) relationship.
I kept reading beyond that infatuation called love frustration only for Georgie to showcase her immaturity again, and for Dominic to not talk to her about his intent again. Sigh. Half way through the book I want more character connection.
Ignoring the romance, Lord Alton is a character I'd like to know more. He's somewhat similar to the author's Cynster characters, but a bit more refined/elegant and a bit less aggressive/primal, at least so far, than I remember them being. He also seems more coldly calculating. Too bad I won't be finishing his book.
November 15, 2020
Encuentro que la trama romántica está poco desarrollada. Ella se enamora a primera vista, en lo que podría ser por gratitud, pues solo intercambia un puñado de frases en un único encuentro antes de decidir que siente algo por esa persona. Al segundo encuentro ya está enamorada.
La historia avanza rápido y pasan multitud de cosas (fiestas, puestas de largo, salidas, declaraciones) y luego se comenta que ha pasado un par de días a lo sumo. Entonces él se siente interesado por ciencia infusa, pues no han tenido más encuentros. En resumen, el famoso instant-love de los dos.
Las cosas que suceden a lo largo de la historia me parecen bastante mal hiladas y repetitivas y, como dije antes, todo ocurre en un corto periodo de tiempo aunque no lo sentimos así. Ella hace algo, él le llama boba y "acude en su rescate", así dos o puede que incluso tres veces.
Luego hay una historia eterna de malentendidos uno detrás de otro. Personajes demasiado poco perspicaces y preguntas sin respuesta, ¿cómo pudo acceder al dinero de su herencia en un banco sin saber previamente cuál era su herencia? (Por ejemplo).
El principio fue lo que más me gustó.
Y la personalidad de Georgiana cuando no estaba obnubilada. De rápida respuesta, encantadora y distinta.
La historia avanza rápido y pasan multitud de cosas (fiestas, puestas de largo, salidas, declaraciones) y luego se comenta que ha pasado un par de días a lo sumo. Entonces él se siente interesado por ciencia infusa, pues no han tenido más encuentros. En resumen, el famoso instant-love de los dos.
Las cosas que suceden a lo largo de la historia me parecen bastante mal hiladas y repetitivas y, como dije antes, todo ocurre en un corto periodo de tiempo aunque no lo sentimos así. Ella hace algo, él le llama boba y "acude en su rescate", así dos o puede que incluso tres veces.
Luego hay una historia eterna de malentendidos uno detrás de otro. Personajes demasiado poco perspicaces y preguntas sin respuesta, ¿cómo pudo acceder al dinero de su herencia en un banco sin saber previamente cuál era su herencia? (Por ejemplo).
El principio fue lo que más me gustó.
Y la personalidad de Georgiana cuando no estaba obnubilada. De rápida respuesta, encantadora y distinta.
February 20, 2020
This is such a feel-good regency romance book! No drama, a very light conflict, LOTS of social dances, beautiful dresses, and a really cute love story.
A super easy, fun read this has been. Lowkey makes me wish to time travel even just for a day to this era with such beautiful English lexicon, pretty ballroom gowns and day dresses, dainty hats and gloves and parasols, carriages and lady companions, and everything the social elite at the time indulged in on a daily basis. Oh how lovely it had been to be a Lady with goddess-like beauty ('cause that was all that mattered for a woman, apparently lol).
Overall, I'd say this is a kilig-bobo story in the regency romance genre. Don't get me wrong; I love me some ~stupidly romantic~ tropes from time to time. xD
Proposed drinking game: drink every time the author mentions Dominic's blue eyes LMAO
A super easy, fun read this has been. Lowkey makes me wish to time travel even just for a day to this era with such beautiful English lexicon, pretty ballroom gowns and day dresses, dainty hats and gloves and parasols, carriages and lady companions, and everything the social elite at the time indulged in on a daily basis. Oh how lovely it had been to be a Lady with goddess-like beauty ('cause that was all that mattered for a woman, apparently lol).
Overall, I'd say this is a kilig-bobo story in the regency romance genre. Don't get me wrong; I love me some ~stupidly romantic~ tropes from time to time. xD
Proposed drinking game: drink every time the author mentions Dominic's blue eyes LMAO
April 16, 2018
The concept is decent: a guy helps a woman who needs to escape and marriage seems a plausible option. However, the plotline lost me. Dominic is displayed as a decent guy whose only mistake is a mistress...ish. Accepted, but not really something of a moral challenge to make the plotline interesting. It was a predictable plotline to keep Dominic the hero. However, I was pausing to read the plotline by the ninth chapter.
The first scene took too long. You do seem to hint that Dominic knows what is happening, but I don't know. I was skipping paragraphs by the tenth page. But, I was able to read a couple of paragraphs by the ninth chapter.
The first scene took too long. You do seem to hint that Dominic knows what is happening, but I don't know. I was skipping paragraphs by the tenth page. But, I was able to read a couple of paragraphs by the ninth chapter.
May 29, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I liked all of the characters individually I had a hard time with the age gap between Dominic and Georgiana; he is 32 and she is 18. It's a lot and 18 is very young. But at the same time I'm happy they ended up together. He very much respected her and her innocence and initially was just trying to be a good person and help her out. The fact that this built over time was the saving grace for me. I am glad that there was not too much drama with her horrible cousin, or with his former mistress.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2021
This is a pretty okay book I would say. The premise itself is interesting and there are some sweet moments in it. I have not read any other books in the series but I really liked Bella and Arthur’s relationship. I also like Dominic, I thought he was very sweet and I really liked he took care to be sure of his own emotions first before acting. Overall, I also liked Georgiana as well, although I understood her initial suspect of Dominic’s intentions it was drawn out too long and her character just got annoying after a while.
August 7, 2021
Si fatica a riconoscere l'autrice perché sono i primi romanzi. Per fortuna è migliorata parecchio con il passare del tempo, anche se, ci sono storie meglio riuscite di altre.
Più che romanzi, sembrano i riassunti. È tutto raccontato e le interazioni tra i protagonisti sono ridotte al minimo. I protagonisti maschili si somigliano tra loro (libertini appartenenti all'alta società che capitolano per la dama virtuosa in difficoltà).
Si dimentica facilmente.
Più che romanzi, sembrano i riassunti. È tutto raccontato e le interazioni tra i protagonisti sono ridotte al minimo. I protagonisti maschili si somigliano tra loro (libertini appartenenti all'alta società che capitolano per la dama virtuosa in difficoltà).
Si dimentica facilmente.
June 15, 2023
What a Rollercoaster!
Major teen angst Regency style. A sheltered, orphaned young English woman returns to her homeland after spending her formative years in Italy. With cultural differences beyond her limited understanding, along with a propensity to leap before she looks, anything she can misunderstand - she will. Especially when it comes to love.
Major teen angst Regency style. A sheltered, orphaned young English woman returns to her homeland after spending her formative years in Italy. With cultural differences beyond her limited understanding, along with a propensity to leap before she looks, anything she can misunderstand - she will. Especially when it comes to love.
September 15, 2025
Books I Own. Mad About Series HRBC Challenge 2025. Tropes: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Class Difference, Heiress, Knight in Shining Armor.
MC's h. Georgiana Hartley,17, heiress, both parents deceased. Cousin Charles alive.
H. Dominic Ridgley,32, Viscount Alton, Candlewick estate. Sister Bella married to Arthur Windsmere.
Cute, clean romance.
MC's h. Georgiana Hartley,17, heiress, both parents deceased. Cousin Charles alive.
H. Dominic Ridgley,32, Viscount Alton, Candlewick estate. Sister Bella married to Arthur Windsmere.
Cute, clean romance.
April 7, 2018
This one was pretty charming despite it's lack of substance. Still, I'm getting bored with the whole "18 year old debutante somehow miraculously attracts the attention of a much older rake for no apparent reason" trope. I like a little more meat.
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