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The Daring Debutantes #1
Henrietta
GROOMING THE GROOM
In Nethercote, it was universally agreed that Henrietta, the Vicar's sister, was a hopeless spinster. Yet no one could deny that she possessed a magnificent pair of hazel eyes--and a high-stepping spirit.
So when Aunt Hester willed her an unexpected fortune, plucky Henrietta set out to take the fashionable world by storm. But, all aglitter for the Season, London society scoffed at the green girl in its midst. Especially when the bold country minx announced her intention to wed its most prized bachelor, the irresistibly roguish, delectably heartbreaking Beau Reckford himself.
In Nethercote, it was universally agreed that Henrietta, the Vicar's sister, was a hopeless spinster. Yet no one could deny that she possessed a magnificent pair of hazel eyes--and a high-stepping spirit.
So when Aunt Hester willed her an unexpected fortune, plucky Henrietta set out to take the fashionable world by storm. But, all aglitter for the Season, London society scoffed at the green girl in its midst. Especially when the bold country minx announced her intention to wed its most prized bachelor, the irresistibly roguish, delectably heartbreaking Beau Reckford himself.
Paperback
First published October 1, 1979
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About the author
Ann Fairfax
5 books29 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Gibbons (née Chesney) was a Scottish writer of romance and mystery novels. Marion wrote her historical romances under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, as well as several pseudonyms ( Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, and Charlotte Ward). Using the pseudonym M.C. Beaton she also wrote many popular mystery novels, most notably the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mystery series. Both of these book series have been adapted for TV. Because of her great success with mystery novels her publishers both in the U.S. and abroad began using the M.C. Beaton pseudonym for all of her novels.
aka: Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Gibbons (née Chesney) was a Scottish writer of romance and mystery novels. Marion wrote her historical romances under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, as well as several pseudonyms ( Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, and Charlotte Ward). Using the pseudonym M.C. Beaton she also wrote many popular mystery novels, most notably the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mystery series. Both of these book series have been adapted for TV. Because of her great success with mystery novels her publishers both in the U.S. and abroad began using the M.C. Beaton pseudonym for all of her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 6, 2024
An Action Packed Mystery-Romance!
Henrietta is awesome! This is an awesome series! Too bad that only two episodes from the series are available. Where, I wonder, are the rest of the books?
Henrietta is a twenty-five year old spinster who lives with her brother, who is a vicar. And what a lousy vicar he is. He mistreats Henrietta, furiously!
But the lovely Henrietta comes into an inheritance and is happy to do without her hypocritical brother.
She decides that she deserves a season and she enjoys herself. She would enjoy herself a lot more if someone wasn’t intent on driving her insane.
Five magnificent stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Henrietta is awesome! This is an awesome series! Too bad that only two episodes from the series are available. Where, I wonder, are the rest of the books?
Henrietta is a twenty-five year old spinster who lives with her brother, who is a vicar. And what a lousy vicar he is. He mistreats Henrietta, furiously!
But the lovely Henrietta comes into an inheritance and is happy to do without her hypocritical brother.
She decides that she deserves a season and she enjoys herself. She would enjoy herself a lot more if someone wasn’t intent on driving her insane.
Five magnificent stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 15, 2017
A very early Regency by Marion Chesney. This was her 5th book, according to publication dates.
This one is one of her few ones featuring an older heroine (26), with the same plotline of being downtrodden by her vain vicar of a brother who also verbally abuses her at every opportunity. A legacy from a distant relative soon has her free just when her brother, Henry, has plans to kick her out, and she asks her friend Mattie to come live with her. Mattie is in her 60s and is flaky and dreamy and inappropriate but incredibly funny. Henrietta had met one Beau Reckford at a county ball and fallen instantly for this 29 y/o man.
What follows is a London season comprised mainly of Henrietta and Beau gradually becoming very good friends, so good on his part that he doesn't seem to regard her as female and discourses with her naturally one night in her bed while he's naked. This scandalous scene only came about because, well Marion Chesney being who she is, has someone trying to make Henrietta believe she is mad, and thus they try to figure out who the culprit is.
The cast of villains are like so: Henrietta's vain and malicious brother Henry. The beautiful and spoiled Alice Belding who wants Beau at any cost. Mama's boy Mr. Ralston (the original heir of the legacy) and his beatifically malicious mother who will do anything for him. Actually Mr. Ralston and Alice Belding are somewhat the same character but of different genders.
Many things happen against the backdrop of the London season and the tumult of Henrietta's passion for Beau Reckford, including the friendship that springs up between Henrietta and Beau's best friend, Mr. Holmes. This is not to mention the many different eccentricities of Mattie, going from transparent muslins to wigs to dyed hair to assumed French accents. All is fun and light-hearted until Beau, in a flash of intuition, figures out who the villain is and-- he TELLS Henrietta, resulting in a quick marriage and consummation in a distant place so that Henrietta soon has another heir.
Ha-ha. No. That doesn't happen. Beau kidnaps Henrietta at a ball by first trussing up and gagging Mattie, and then he takes the two of them and imprisons them on his estate, whereby leaving Henrietta to suspect him as the culprit. Henrietta and Mattie (by ridiculous luck and comedic planning) escape and run back to their hometown, only to be imprisoned by the real culprit. Beau races to the rescue and -- they kiss and have HEA.
Ha-ha. No. That doesn't happen. Henrietta has a physical breakdown and the physician diagnoses her issue as fear of Beau, at which time she and Mattie take Lady Belding's advice and retreat to a small German village for a year. At which time Lady Belding + Alice soon descend upon them and the culprit also takes it upon himself to reside in a nearby village just at the time Henrietta decides to make her way back to England, but not before writing Beau an impassioned letter of her love. He isn't able to read it, however, before he hears of the threat on her life and rushes after Mr. Holmes to find Henrietta. He gets there seriously just in the nick of time as Henrietta is saved from the culprit by the wood floors of the church tower crumbling under the villain's dastardly feet. He murmurs affectionate nothings and -- they end up together and have HEA.
Ha-ha. No! That still doesn't happen, you silly reader you. He miscontrues (based on Lady Belding's nasty letter) Henrietta's friendship with a young man and leaves them to wedded bliss. Henrietta is crestfallen and soon after goes back to England to befriend a man who looks the same as the one in Germany. Beau confronts them at a ball one evening and then they have it out and make out in the conservatory behind some foggy glass and damp fronds. THE END.
Honestly, it could have done without the last three ending scares. The running away to Germany for a year was a bit much. Still, it was an early effort for Marion Chesney and maybe she was trying to insert as much plot as she could into a book. The writing style is unmistakably hers, but her plot-building definitely improves and tightens as she wrote more.
This one is one of her few ones featuring an older heroine (26), with the same plotline of being downtrodden by her vain vicar of a brother who also verbally abuses her at every opportunity. A legacy from a distant relative soon has her free just when her brother, Henry, has plans to kick her out, and she asks her friend Mattie to come live with her. Mattie is in her 60s and is flaky and dreamy and inappropriate but incredibly funny. Henrietta had met one Beau Reckford at a county ball and fallen instantly for this 29 y/o man.
What follows is a London season comprised mainly of Henrietta and Beau gradually becoming very good friends, so good on his part that he doesn't seem to regard her as female and discourses with her naturally one night in her bed while he's naked. This scandalous scene only came about because, well Marion Chesney being who she is, has someone trying to make Henrietta believe she is mad, and thus they try to figure out who the culprit is.
The cast of villains are like so: Henrietta's vain and malicious brother Henry. The beautiful and spoiled Alice Belding who wants Beau at any cost. Mama's boy Mr. Ralston (the original heir of the legacy) and his beatifically malicious mother who will do anything for him. Actually Mr. Ralston and Alice Belding are somewhat the same character but of different genders.
Many things happen against the backdrop of the London season and the tumult of Henrietta's passion for Beau Reckford, including the friendship that springs up between Henrietta and Beau's best friend, Mr. Holmes. This is not to mention the many different eccentricities of Mattie, going from transparent muslins to wigs to dyed hair to assumed French accents. All is fun and light-hearted until Beau, in a flash of intuition, figures out who the villain is and-- he TELLS Henrietta, resulting in a quick marriage and consummation in a distant place so that Henrietta soon has another heir.
Ha-ha. No. That doesn't happen. Beau kidnaps Henrietta at a ball by first trussing up and gagging Mattie, and then he takes the two of them and imprisons them on his estate, whereby leaving Henrietta to suspect him as the culprit. Henrietta and Mattie (by ridiculous luck and comedic planning) escape and run back to their hometown, only to be imprisoned by the real culprit. Beau races to the rescue and -- they kiss and have HEA.
Ha-ha. No. That doesn't happen. Henrietta has a physical breakdown and the physician diagnoses her issue as fear of Beau, at which time she and Mattie take Lady Belding's advice and retreat to a small German village for a year. At which time Lady Belding + Alice soon descend upon them and the culprit also takes it upon himself to reside in a nearby village just at the time Henrietta decides to make her way back to England, but not before writing Beau an impassioned letter of her love. He isn't able to read it, however, before he hears of the threat on her life and rushes after Mr. Holmes to find Henrietta. He gets there seriously just in the nick of time as Henrietta is saved from the culprit by the wood floors of the church tower crumbling under the villain's dastardly feet. He murmurs affectionate nothings and -- they end up together and have HEA.
Ha-ha. No! That still doesn't happen, you silly reader you. He miscontrues (based on Lady Belding's nasty letter) Henrietta's friendship with a young man and leaves them to wedded bliss. Henrietta is crestfallen and soon after goes back to England to befriend a man who looks the same as the one in Germany. Beau confronts them at a ball one evening and then they have it out and make out in the conservatory behind some foggy glass and damp fronds. THE END.
Honestly, it could have done without the last three ending scares. The running away to Germany for a year was a bit much. Still, it was an early effort for Marion Chesney and maybe she was trying to insert as much plot as she could into a book. The writing style is unmistakably hers, but her plot-building definitely improves and tightens as she wrote more.
June 11, 2015
Things I did not like about this book: A heroine who is almost TSTL, a labyrinthine, ridiculous plot, the heroine's appalling sidekick, a hero who is insufficient, the evil mad brother...etc etc etc. The book goes on for ever and will bore you to tears. Caveat lector.
May 16, 2019
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Henrietta is the first book of the "Daring Debutante" series and its namesake is not nearly as audacious the heroine in Lucy who was amazing. I read Lucy out of sequence and I am grateful that I did because this book wasn't as good.
In Lucy--written under yet another alias of M.C. Beaton's--I loved Lucy Balfour but could not stand Andrew, the hero, who was not interesting or worthy of her in this least.
This time in Henrietta I liked the hero better a lot and didn't care as much for the female lead character. All around, it wasn't a bad book but as the first installment in the series it could have been better. Or worse. Dramatic at times, silly at others but I will say, it was never a bore.
Henrietta is the first book of the "Daring Debutante" series and its namesake is not nearly as audacious the heroine in Lucy who was amazing. I read Lucy out of sequence and I am grateful that I did because this book wasn't as good.
In Lucy--written under yet another alias of M.C. Beaton's--I loved Lucy Balfour but could not stand Andrew, the hero, who was not interesting or worthy of her in this least.
This time in Henrietta I liked the hero better a lot and didn't care as much for the female lead character. All around, it wasn't a bad book but as the first installment in the series it could have been better. Or worse. Dramatic at times, silly at others but I will say, it was never a bore.
January 14, 2020
This light romance, early in Marion Chesney/M.C. Beaton's long career, started promisingly enough. I thought it would break the tropes of willowy teenage heroines with a heavier, 26yo heroine and only slightly older 29yo hero. She comes into money and leaves the terrible people of her small town behind. Even with the open mockery of the odd older spinster companion (whose behavior gets surprisingly extreme as soon as she leaves the small town), I was on board for about 2/3 of the book. It was amusing, at first.
I was discouraged that the heroine ended up losing the extra weight, and at that point the hero registered her as sexually attractive, whereas before he had only a brotherly regard and friendly ease in her presence. Then it took a sudden turn for the gothic, but did so, not in the tongue-in-cheek mockery style of Northanger Abbey, but it the hamfisted way of a writer who doesn't know where on earth they want the plot to go. There are so many bizarre turns and the main characters have so many TSTL moments that I nearly tossed the book aside, unfinished.
I can't say there was a payoff for finishing the book, either. If you managed to overlook the hero kidnapping the heroine at gunpoint, terrorizing her, imprisoning her, and not explaining why at any point (even calling her a bitch when he thinks she's escaped). That was a lot to swallow. But the "romantic" end where he threatens to drag her out of the room by her hair if she doesn't leave with him is too much to take. I'll chalk it up to being published in 1979, but there are other Chesney books that are much more enjoyable. I recommend the Poor Relation series, that starts with Lady Fortescue Steps Out.
I was discouraged that the heroine ended up losing the extra weight, and at that point the hero registered her as sexually attractive, whereas before he had only a brotherly regard and friendly ease in her presence. Then it took a sudden turn for the gothic, but did so, not in the tongue-in-cheek mockery style of Northanger Abbey, but it the hamfisted way of a writer who doesn't know where on earth they want the plot to go. There are so many bizarre turns and the main characters have so many TSTL moments that I nearly tossed the book aside, unfinished.
I can't say there was a payoff for finishing the book, either. If you managed to overlook the hero kidnapping the heroine at gunpoint, terrorizing her, imprisoning her, and not explaining why at any point (even calling her a bitch when he thinks she's escaped). That was a lot to swallow. But the "romantic" end where he threatens to drag her out of the room by her hair if she doesn't leave with him is too much to take. I'll chalk it up to being published in 1979, but there are other Chesney books that are much more enjoyable. I recommend the Poor Relation series, that starts with Lady Fortescue Steps Out.
March 18, 2024
On the first level nice, but nothing great. A typical Chesney's Regency romances, but without something that made some of them wonderful.
Still, because it was Chesney I found many (important) observations, censure of that time. It was between the lines, on the second level. This is why I always value more Chesney's romances than many other authors of the genre - her love story can be flat, but I always see her pen, even in the worst of her novels.
Mattie, a sixty-year-old dreamy spinster, was charming. The rest characters were also promising - I just regret that the author didn't use them more, better, deeper. Instead of focusing on a mystery she could have focused more on characters - I would have liked it much more then.
[2-2.5 stars]
Still, because it was Chesney I found many (important) observations, censure of that time. It was between the lines, on the second level. This is why I always value more Chesney's romances than many other authors of the genre - her love story can be flat, but I always see her pen, even in the worst of her novels.
Mattie, a sixty-year-old dreamy spinster, was charming. The rest characters were also promising - I just regret that the author didn't use them more, better, deeper. Instead of focusing on a mystery she could have focused more on characters - I would have liked it much more then.
[2-2.5 stars]
April 21, 2013
Henrietta is the downtrodden sister of a country vicar who believes she is doomed to a life looking after her brother and visiting the poor and sick of his parish. Then her great aunt leaves her a fortune and she decides to take London by storm and find herself a husband.
Her friend, Mattie – and elderly spinster goes with her to act as chaperone but Henrietta soon finds society goes to Mattie’s head and she is having to restrain her wilder flights of fantasy. It soon becomes clear to the reader that someone has it in for Henrietta and after many strange and unpleasant happenings she starts to wonder whether she really is going mad.
This is an entertaining and fast paced story with many twists and turns and many ambiguous people who might be friend or foe. I enjoyed reading it and laughed out loud at some of Henrietta and Mattie’s escapades. I thought all the characters were very well drawn and I liked Henrietta especially with her fighting spirit concealed behind her calm and quiet appearance. Mattie is a marvellous example of the middle aged or elderly women who this author does so well.
Her friend, Mattie – and elderly spinster goes with her to act as chaperone but Henrietta soon finds society goes to Mattie’s head and she is having to restrain her wilder flights of fantasy. It soon becomes clear to the reader that someone has it in for Henrietta and after many strange and unpleasant happenings she starts to wonder whether she really is going mad.
This is an entertaining and fast paced story with many twists and turns and many ambiguous people who might be friend or foe. I enjoyed reading it and laughed out loud at some of Henrietta and Mattie’s escapades. I thought all the characters were very well drawn and I liked Henrietta especially with her fighting spirit concealed behind her calm and quiet appearance. Mattie is a marvellous example of the middle aged or elderly women who this author does so well.
June 12, 2016
I got this on Book bub free, the whole series called "Daring Debutantes" and I read it on my phone. I presume the pen name is one of Chesny/Beaton's early names, and these are written very early in her life! It took a while for just "Henrietta" and I am something like 18% finished! I will continue to read the other eventually, because I like the author, especially the Hamish MAcBeth series. Henrietta is a very annoying heroine, and maybe too many things happen in this story, especially when she runs away for a year to Germany!! And her most hated rival happens to turn up there. And the hero thinks she is engaged to someone else. While it is fun to read early works and see how an author can improve, I will take a break before the next one!!
February 7, 2014
Twenty-six year old Henrietta Sandford is the unmarried sister of a country vicar. Her brother takes every opportunity to remind her how much she owes him and to bully Henrietta. Henrietta falls instantly in love with Lord Reckford, a handsome Corinthian when he visits a country assembly and pays Henrietta more attention than the local beauty. When a hitherto unknown great-aunt leaves Henrietta a fortune, Henrietta sets out for London accompanied by her eccentric elderly friend Miss Mattie Scattersworth and declares her intentions of marrying Lord Reckford. London society snubs Henrietta and she thinks about returning to the country when Lord Reckford discovers her prescence in London and takes her under his wing. Henrietta's happiness is marred by the fact that she seems to be going mad! Lord Reckford believes her sanity and is determined to figure out who is playing jokes on Henrietta. The joke turns deadly and Henrietta's life is in danger. She must rescue herself and her companion and figure out how to win Lord Reckford's hand in marriage before the story reaches the usual conclusion.
Henrietta is an admirable character. She is charming and spirited and doesn't act like a debutnate, despite the fact that she is experiencing her first Season. Her companion provides the comic relief with wild romantic fantasies. However, I'm not a fan of gothic stories or mysteries and this one was both. It was not my favorite Chesney novel.
Henrietta is an admirable character. She is charming and spirited and doesn't act like a debutnate, despite the fact that she is experiencing her first Season. Her companion provides the comic relief with wild romantic fantasies. However, I'm not a fan of gothic stories or mysteries and this one was both. It was not my favorite Chesney novel.
September 18, 2020
Marion Chesney/M.C. Beaton is a good writer and I find even her lesser efforts entertaining. This is not a great book but it was a light enjoyable read. Predictable but amusing. If only Chesney could have infused some real heart into her characters.
Not a great thing: Skinny means beautiful. "It was not because Henrietta was a beauty - and she had certainly changed into a beauty since she lost weight...." (p. 196)
Not a great thing: Skinny means beautiful. "It was not because Henrietta was a beauty - and she had certainly changed into a beauty since she lost weight...." (p. 196)
July 14, 2020
This was a disappointment. I have been devouring books by this author under all her pen names, and was excited to see what she would do with a longer book. The answer is all muddle. I liked everything about the book for the first half, and then it just started getting more and more convoluted as if to extend the time before resolution and yawn. YAWN! I fell asleep at least twice.
July 2, 2024
Every once in awhile I'll take a break and read something far outside my norm. Romance is definitely not my typical read but I was intrigued when I randomly saw this series by MC Beaton. I love the Hamish Macbeth series and didn't realize she'd written anything besides mysteries. I decided I'd check it out.
It was pretty ridiculous but I had a jolly good time listening to it anyway. I could definitely see Beaton's humor shining through, as it does with Hamish. I think she delights in the absurd and knew that this book was silly but wrote it that way on purpose.
Henrietta, age 26, has lived a dull life with her pompous brother in the village. Her only good friend is a quirky lady in her sixties, Mattie. Henrietta's life turns upside down when she unexpectedly inherits a fortune and meets the playful Beau Reckford, age 29, one of the most eligible bachelors of the ton.
Beau finds Henrietta fun to be with but gets concerned when it seems that someone is out to get Henrietta. It would appear that someone is trying to make her seem crazy. Things really heat up when murder gets involved. Meanwhile, Henrietta is a bit lovesick over Beau but knows there is no hope.
Honestly, as far as this type of story goes, it was fun. The only issue I had was that initially Henrietta is "plump" but then suddenly loses weight and becomes more charming to everyone.
It was pretty ridiculous but I had a jolly good time listening to it anyway. I could definitely see Beaton's humor shining through, as it does with Hamish. I think she delights in the absurd and knew that this book was silly but wrote it that way on purpose.
Henrietta, age 26, has lived a dull life with her pompous brother in the village. Her only good friend is a quirky lady in her sixties, Mattie. Henrietta's life turns upside down when she unexpectedly inherits a fortune and meets the playful Beau Reckford, age 29, one of the most eligible bachelors of the ton.
Beau finds Henrietta fun to be with but gets concerned when it seems that someone is out to get Henrietta. It would appear that someone is trying to make her seem crazy. Things really heat up when murder gets involved. Meanwhile, Henrietta is a bit lovesick over Beau but knows there is no hope.
Honestly, as far as this type of story goes, it was fun. The only issue I had was that initially Henrietta is "plump" but then suddenly loses weight and becomes more charming to everyone.
February 10, 2023
This was an amusing, suspenseful (if you forget you are reading a romance where everything is going to turn out all right), and entertaining book. I listened to this book and it did seem to last a long time, but I listened to it at normal speed for a change, so that could explain that. :D However, there were so many miscommunications and near misses, I was ready for a satisfying resolution by the time I got to the last one. Henrietta is a delightful heroine with plenty of spunk. Her constant companion, Miss Mattie, has a divertingly overactive imagination and is taken by several outrageous and humorous flights of fancy, making her the perfect counterpoint to the more grounded Henrietta. Some other minor characters are well drawn and most are not worth a jot, despite their being people of Quality. I like to think Chesney was snickering and snorting her way through the writing of many of the ballroom and country party scenes. This is the first in this series and other reviews indicate it is not the best, so I look forward to reading others in this series.
October 12, 2018
This man kidnaps her, holds a gun to her head, facilitates and covers up several murders, treats her like shit in general and has absolutely no regard for her as a person - aaaaaand yet this woman wants nothing but to love him and complete her life by honoring --- herself--- with his name and the gift of bearing his heirs.
I often think "if only men would read women's books, they'd understand what women value in a man instead of getting their pointers from violent pornography." But Jesus, this isn't any better.
Dear Marion Chesney, this is a DELIGHTFUL era about which to write. There is romance ripe for the picking and all kinds of naughty fun to be had and yet you INSIST on writing violent, rapey, misogynistic, ham-fisted BULLSHIT. Full. Stop.
No, please... Stop.
I often think "if only men would read women's books, they'd understand what women value in a man instead of getting their pointers from violent pornography." But Jesus, this isn't any better.
Dear Marion Chesney, this is a DELIGHTFUL era about which to write. There is romance ripe for the picking and all kinds of naughty fun to be had and yet you INSIST on writing violent, rapey, misogynistic, ham-fisted BULLSHIT. Full. Stop.
No, please... Stop.
July 22, 2019
Amusing Period Romance
Henrietta inherited a fortune and moved to London so she can come out as a debutante even though she's a bit older than usual. There's a bit of mystery as well as romance as she keeps being endangered by a hidden enemy while a handsome Lord determines that he will protect her from harm. I can recommend it and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Henrietta inherited a fortune and moved to London so she can come out as a debutante even though she's a bit older than usual. There's a bit of mystery as well as romance as she keeps being endangered by a hidden enemy while a handsome Lord determines that he will protect her from harm. I can recommend it and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
May 2, 2020
I liked this book!
Overshadowed and mistreated by her older Nd jealous brother Henrietta dreams of a season, love and marriage.
An unexpected inheritance comes her way unleashing a series of events that threaten her life.
Will she find love and happiness in the end or will her brother succeed in having her committed and therefore steal her money?
Overshadowed and mistreated by her older Nd jealous brother Henrietta dreams of a season, love and marriage.
An unexpected inheritance comes her way unleashing a series of events that threaten her life.
Will she find love and happiness in the end or will her brother succeed in having her committed and therefore steal her money?
January 27, 2026
I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was cute and the characters were fun to read about. I think I became tired of all the near misses and accidental things that caused them never to explain the truth to each other. I know this devise is necessary to draw out the plot. But at some point, it was a bit much.
April 7, 2020
Not her best work.
Good for a quick read in your favorite genre to get your mind off things. Not at all witty as some of her other work. Overwrought plot, repetitive in spots, and feels like a first work by a new author.
Good for a quick read in your favorite genre to get your mind off things. Not at all witty as some of her other work. Overwrought plot, repetitive in spots, and feels like a first work by a new author.
February 7, 2018
I forgot how much I love all the shenanigans in these books. It’s just the right mix of adventure and romance. The only bad thing is that it ends too abruptly for me.
December 27, 2019
3.5 stars
March 7, 2020
Hysterical period piece!
April 30, 2020
This book went on and on and on.. too many plot twists.. I was so ready for this book to be over.. what a waist of an entire day.
August 11, 2020
Silly but cute.
January 2, 2021
Not great literature but Chesney (aka M.C. Beaton) writes well and can be counted on for an enjoyable, escapist read.
March 2, 2021
Haha, what a wonderful “gothic” tale!
September 16, 2021
Not one of my favorites. It was ok, but really a little silly even as regency romances go. 🤷🏽♀️
November 15, 2021
Disappointing. I usually devour books by this author but this one wasn’t her best.
April 21, 2023
Enjoyable read.
June 27, 2023
Quirky and fun.
September 4, 2024
Ugh. You created Agatha Raisin! How did you also write this insufferable shmaltz?!? I did not care for any of these characters, nor how they talked about each other.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews