As Arthur Bremerton, Lord Mather, hurries to the opening session of Parliament, he is incensed to find his way blocked by a boisterous group protesting for women’s rights. But his annoyance turns to mortification when he finds his own cousin among their ranks, alongside a beautiful suffragette who engages him in a fierce battle of words and wills. Emmeline’s fight for equality is just one facet of her wide-ranging interests. At the moment, her most pressing concern is how she and her mother, an eccentric Baroness, are to begin again after the family’s fortune was squandered following her father’s death. After her heated disagreement with Lord Mather, the only thought she gives the infuriating man is the hope that they will never meet again. But alas, this hope is in vain: unbeknownst to them, both Emmeline and Arthur are to be guests at a three-week house party, and fate seems determined to throw them together at every opportunity.
Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world, which includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that are anything but romantic. Jennifer has a BA in linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family.
Bluestockings? Yes! I love reading stories about the brave women who forged the path for us to have the freedoms that we have today.
This is a novella that is an introduction to "The Blue Orchid Society". I can't wait until the first book is released. I loved the characters. It proves that you don't have to have the same ideals to be compatible.
I so enjoyed this story. It is a novella prequel to Solving Solphornia. I enjoyed that but I really enjoyed this novella. You can read one without the other. This love story was so well done. I wish I had gotten a little more back and forth between these two but for a novella it was very good. A complete story with a great kiss!
What a memorable first meeting for Arthur Bremerton, Lord Mather, and Emmeline, and then to run into each other again months later at a house party. It's a true opposites attract story which I loved. This is a novella but it certainly didn't read or feel like one. I loved when Lord Mather started to prefer Emmeline's company over Miss Stewart's and how they marked the newspaper articles for each other.
I loved Emmeline, she was kind to everyone and fun, and she wanted better for women. Women were at the mercy of the men in their lives, and she and her mother suffered because of the laws governing heredity and property ownership at that time. Kudos to Lord Mather for having an open mind and listening to what Emmeline had to say. It wasn't common back then, as women weren't supposed to have opinions about politics let alone share them with men.
It's easy to see Emmeline had a lot of influence on her granddaughter, Sophronia. As someone else has said, you don't have to read this book before reading Solving Sophronia, but it gives you a better understanding of why Sophronia is the kind of women she is.
I loved this story. This is why Jennifer Moore is one of my favorite authors.
This is the Regency Era prequel by Jennifer Moore to her new Victorian Era The Blue Orchid Society series. This is the passionate dislike to passionate in love, opposites attract love story of Arthur and Emmeline, the grandparents of the heroine of the first book in the series Solving Sophronia. Though the hero and heroine were of opposite political parties and some ideologies, Arthur and Emmeline's eventual friendship and then falling in love was natural and believable. As a reader you couldn't help cheering them on to be together and swooning when they did. This was half the length of a full length novel, but felt like a full length complete novel to me. I also have purchased Solving Sophronia the aforementioned first book in the series and look forward to getting to it eventually.
Language:No profanity.
Sensuality content: Clean traditional regency romance with kisses only.
Emmeline and Arthur appear to be complete opposites, yet they find common ground and through their experiences they build a relationship. I loved this story. I understand Emmeline so much. After some personal experiences my thoughts changed drastically from those I associated with, so that part of the story really spoke to me. This was a great story, but I would have loved a little bit more. Hopefully I'll get some of that in the rest of the series.
I really enjoyed this story and wish it was a full-length novel! The debates between Emmeline and Lord Mather were delightful and seeing their opinions of each other slowly change had me turning pages past midnight! Even though it was a novella, the author has drawn three-dimensional characters that are relatable and ones that I would cheer for to have their happily-ever-after. Emmeline is so easy to love, and her frustrations with the limits put on women are understandable. Lord Mather's position in Parliament and his opinions of a women's "realm" make him her opposite--yet still her perfect match. I can't wait to read more in this series!
4.5 stars for this lovely Regency novella that gives a really fun background to Grandma Mimi! I loved this character who plays a fairly good role in the first book in The Blue Orchid Society series.
While you don’t *need* to read this before beginning Solving Sophronia, I do believe it gives a good background as to why Sophronia acts & feels the way she does. Mimi (Emmeline) has obviously been supportive of her granddaughter’s dreams and endeavors.
I loved the idea of Arthur and Emmeline connecting at a house party, after all it would have been difficult, her circumstances being what they are. I found this story endearing and enjoyable. Just the right length, and just as satisfactory ending.
I read this for free during an Amazon promotion. This is my honest review.
Arthur Bremerton, Lord Mather, inherited the title at a young age and is firm in his duty to King and Country. He always attends sessions in the House of Lords where he is a staunch Whig. Arthur's attendance is always punctual until one day in January 1819 when his carriage is slowed by a political protest in the park. In an effort to make it to Westminster on time, Arthur attempts to walk. He is shocked to see a group of suffragettes marching for women's rights. How horrid! Even more shocking is discovering his lovely cousin Joanna is one of them! While attempting to extricate Joanna from the scene, Arthur receives an earful about equal rights from one of his cousin's suffragette friends. He's horrified that a woman could behave so unwomanly! Emmeline Newton, daughter of the late Baron has a reason for believing what she does. Raised to manage her father's estates, she's seen it all slip away from her thanks to a distant cousin her family had never met. Forced to eke out a living of their own, Emmeline tutors children and her mother holds seances. When Emmeline is invited to a house party given by Joanna's friend Mrs. Harriet Griffin, she feels uncomfortable and out of place in Society. She is even more surprised to discover Lord Mather is also an invited guest and friend of Harriet's husband! Even more surprising is how much Emmeline enjoys debating with Lord Mather. She begins to look forward to discussing the news every morning, as does he. Could this be love?
I admit to having a tough time starting this story this week. The story opens with a political protest and the issues haven't changed a lot in 200 years. After I forced my way past that difficult opening scene, I really enjoyed this sweet romance. It's a Pride and Prejudice style romance with a social conscience. While it's not North and South, it's sweet and enjoyable.
At first I loathed Arthur and loved Emmeline. She stand for everything I believe in and he comes across as a stuck-up, stuffy, boring prig. Even his obsession with precise punctuality annoyed me. Of course this is a romance but I don't always like the characters. I was pleasantly surprised to see how Arthur grew throughout the story. He inherited at such a young age he never really had a chance to learn to think for himself and have empathy for anyone else. Emmeline has had a rough like. Essentially raised like a boy but without the privileges accorded to the male sex, she's a fish out of water. She's lost everything she ever expected through no fault of her own. This gives her a unique perspective on the social issues of the day. She sees how easily the laws fail women over and over when the men don't do their duty. I believe Arthur is blind to the fact that some gentlemen are scoundrels and don't honor and protect the ladies in their family. Getting to know Emmeline, he begins to understand the real problems of the working poor and they debate the solutions. She begins to understand that having the vote doesn't automatically mean things are better and that not all men are wastrels and snobs. I really like how they debate and discuss the issues. This becomes Arthur and Emmeline's version of flirting! This is my kind of romance!
The secondary characters are delightful as well. Arthur's cousin Joanna is fun and seems intelligent. She knows what she wants and how to get it without being catty. Harriet is sweet and kind and very much in love with William. They seem like a happy couple in the haze of newly wedded bliss, trying to pair up their friends. Harriet is a bit blind to what's happening under her nose. Her matchmaking efforts seem to be all wrong. Miss Blanche Stewart is a stereotypical catty female. She wants Arthur's title and she doesn't know how to attract his attention. When she sees him being more and more drawn to Emmeline, she grasps at anything to drive him away from Emmeline. Blanche is the closest thing to a villain this story has. Emmelie's mother, the Baroness, claims to have second sight. She uses her gift to help people and make money in the only way she can. While I don't approve of charlatan's milking people for money, what else can she do? This is why women sell their bodies. It's ambiguous whether she actually has the sight or not... until the end. Then it becomes clear whether she's a fake or the real deal.
I really enjoyed this sweet novella. It's perfect for fans of Pride and Prejudice and North and South. The series looks like one I might enjoy. I will have to see if the library can get them for me.
Arthur and Emmeline clash in the beginning of this story. She is an angry suffragette Whig and he is a stubborn Tory lord. Months later, they meet at a house party and are not happy to see each other. But as they come to know each other better, sparks ignite between them. This was a fun, short story that had great characters and a fun romantic plot.
EMMELINE is a Regency romance set during a time when England was battling against its own in regard to rights and laws across all social classes and the beginning of the women's suffrage movement that would take almost a hundred years to finally find success. This historical setting is in the background as the two main characters (who hold opposite opinions) begin at odds, then find respect, and slowly build to the possibility of more. With dialogue full of sparks, plenty of chemistry, and delightful characters, readers are sure to love this story!
You can tell you have a talented author when a novella feels like a full-length novel and when the characters come alive and are fully fleshed out even with the shorter page count. This is such an author and she fantastically succeeds with this story! I loved Emmeline from the start! She is feisty, confident, and isn't afraid to fight for what she thinks is right and is particularly stubborn while doing so. She also hides hurt and a soft heart. Arthur comes into the story giving us the impression of an old stodgy man, suck in his ways, and obstinately stubborn. However, that impression is short lived. He definitely is opinionated and stubborn, but has a willingness to bend and is respectful to those who are equally intelligent. Emmeline and Arthur together are quite the pair. They are both so strong in their opinions and definitely don't get along at first, but eventually they find that they have the same passion for politics and the people, even if they disagree on how to handle things. I loved their sparing and the romantic sparks it literally created between them. The author really did a marvelous job with their characters, but also in allowing them to show a bit of vulnerability and the slowly-building romance that was delightful in every way.
A couple of favorite quotes:
"Why do I, as a woman, have this mind if I'm not meant to use it?"
"I am not. My circumstance, you see, is not of my own making. As a woman, I cannot control my mother's jointure settlement, the running of my father's estate, or the resulting allowance it provides for my living." She sat tall and looked the other woman in the eye. "I can, however, control my attitude, my words, and how I treat people."
My one complaint would be that two of the gentlemen present for the house party were a bit flat, making it difficult for me to keep them straight. However, they weren't really important to the story and didn't have any impact on my enjoyment of it.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a delightful, entertaining, thought-provoking read! I loved every minute and can not wait for the rest of the books in this series!
Love a good bluestocking heroine and Emmeline is definitely that. She has Arthur rethinking his stand on a lot of things -- including the right for girls to have an equal education. Loved their verbal sparring and how Emmeline can hold her own. And I loved the way she sticks up for herself when the proverbial mean girl snipes at her.
But I'm ambivalent about this novella because of one aspect -- the role that spiritualism plays in the story. Emmeline's mother is a psychic as in fortune teller who calls up the dead. It's actually a very small part of the story but it does play a pivotal part in the plot. I don't know why I'm uncomfortable with it because I do read some speculative fiction, have toe-dabbled in steampunk, and regularly devour witch/magical cozy mysteries. Maybe because the spiritualism aspect was so unexpected. Or maybe because I listened to the audible edition and the narrator deepened her voice and drew out the words in a creepy/funny kind of way whenever Mama's 'gift' came over her.
Whatever the reason, it just didn't sit well with me so I can't even fathom how many stars to assign. I really loved the dialogue and setting and the way the romance developed and enjoyed Jennifer Moore's writing voice. I guess I'll just say that since this is the .5 start to The Blue Orchid Society series, I'd give the next book a try but if they all have a spiritualism theme I'll pass on reading the rest.
This novella was absolutely charming! If you love stories featuring enemies-to-lovers and opposites-attract dynamics, this one is perfect for you. It’s a quick, historical read with a touch of sweetness, and yes, there are some heartwarming kisses, too. In the story, Arthur and Emmeline are constantly at odds. Both are strong-willed and disagree on nearly everything. After their first encounter, they vow to never cross paths again. However, when they both end up at a week-long house party, things take an interesting turn. What initially fueled their dislike of one another soon evolves into undeniable attraction. They begin to realize that being at odds , and together, is far more exciting than being apart. But there’s a catch: Arthur is being pursued by another woman, and Emmeline, being penniless and of a lower social class, seems like an unlikely match. Can they overcome these obstacles and admit their growing feelings for each other?
With Jennifer’s upcoming release, I wanted to explore one of her previous books, and this one definitely didn’t disappoint. I’m already eager to see what’s next in the series!
Favorites: 🌧The rain scene 💋First kiss 📰 Notes in the newspaper
This one is a very quick read as it is novella-length. I happened to get the ebook for free and wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised! The story begins with a clash between very feminist Emmeline and Arthur, a traditional lord who doesn't look kindly on protests. This was where I wasn't sure where it was going to go...is it just going to be a really loud and maybe anachronistic piece about women's rights in the early 1800s? While that issue does remain important, the main focus shifts solidly to the protagonists and their slow acknowledgement of each other within the context of differing views and backgrounds. I really appreciated the organic way they grow to respect each other without sacrificing their personality or values. The storyline is like an abridged version of a standard-length regency romance novel, but still manages to fit in plenty of detail and character development without feeling rushed. Quite enjoyable.
AMAZING! I love this series! Emmeline is thrust into working when her father dies and her distant cousin squanders the estate. She is involved in fighting for equal rights and runs into Lord Mather...literally. Later she's invited to a house party, but they also invite her mother for a portion of the party so she can perform a seance for them (her mom is fortune teller). Emmeline goes to the house party and is surprised when Lord Mather is also there. The tension is high as they argue about what they believe should happen in their country while the host tries to set Lord Mather up with another guest. It was super fun to watch their relationship develop and as they learned from each other.
For a novella this book was great. Usually novellas are too short to have much depth to them but I felt like this one had good romance, good characters, and a good plot. It was a typical regency piece. I enjoyed it.
Emmeline is a Regency Novella that takes place during a time when women had their place in society and they were "encouraged" to stay there. I love the main character Emmeline who fights for equal rights for women. She is strong, but not so much that I disliked her. One day she encounters a stuffy man of Parliament at a rally. They get into a spat of sort. Little do they know that soon, they will meet again at a house party. I enjoyed all of the happenings at the house party such as the games and plays they participated in. It was a fun natural way for these two very different people to get together. Even though this is a novella, I have to say honestly it doesn't feel like one. The characters are strong, the interaction is lively, and the romance is clean and sweet.
This novella comes before the full-length novel, Solving Sophronia, written by the same author and coming out very soon. This makes me so excited to read that next. I recommend this novella and greatly enjoyed it!
I'm a sucker for stories with strong female characters who are suffragettes. I would read the first book in the Blue Orchid Society series first, because it was fun to be introduced to Emmeline as a grandmother and then get to read her backstory.
Utterly charming and delightful! I was captivated from first page to last. Even though this is a novella, the author brings Emmeline and Lord Mather to life in a vivid and memorable way and I could not help but be enchanted by their sweet love story. Beautifully done and a lovely introduction to the Blue Orchid Society series that continues with Solving Sophronia.
There is so much to enjoy about this novella, but like almost every novella I've ever read, I wanted it to be longer. This enemies-to-more has fun banter and a good anger-to-love relationship arc. Emmeline is on the fringes of society, despite her noble birth. Her father is dead and, in order to make ends meet, her baroness mother is a Victorian spiritualist. Emmeline and Lord Mather have a tumultuous meet-cute that leaves them wary of the other's presence at a mutual friend's house party. I wish there had been mention of The Blue Orchid Society, but after reading the summary, it sounds like it's introduced in Solving Sophronia. I'm looking forward to reading it!
Romance, intrigue, period, clean Loved this intro to this society. Gorgeous! I actually enjoyed it much more than the second book. It seemed more 'complete' to me. Lush period setting, loved the things that gradually unfolded between the couple. Perfect addition to this series. The historical details that were part of the setting of the story, made it even more interesting and easy to escape into the novel.
Though predictable for the most part (but, hey, it's a romance, and a novella at that), there were a few twists near the end that made it fun. All in all it was a good read and I can easily recommend this if you're looking for an enjoyable afternoon diversion.
More a novelette than a true full book. This is a sweet back story for Emmeline and Lord Mather found later in this series of stories. It was fun and simple and a nice quick read. If you are interested in this series of books, you’ll want to read this too.