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Love & Temptation #7
The Perfect Gentleman
Lord Andrew has always obeyed his parents wishes, going as far as agreeing to marry the passionless Miss Worthy, but when he meets the attractive Penelope, he must obey a higher authority
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 12, 1988
39 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books751 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 7, 2014
Lord Andrew Childe is perfect in every way, from his impeccible clothes to his correct behavior. He does the right thing for offering marriage to Miss Ann Worthy, whom he thinks will make an excellent bride due to her advanced age of 28 and her lack of emotion and for her correct behavior. Lord Andrew's calm life is shattered when his mother, the Duchess of Parkworth, takes in beautiful, orphaned Penelope Mortimor, a country squire's daughter. Lord Andrew realizes that his mother has taken Penelope for a Season because the young lady's beauty will quite outshine her rivals. However, no one counted on the fact that Penelope does not want to be married and only wishes for a cottage near her former home! Penelope is outspoken and intelligent enough to make her wishes known when suitors come calling. Lord Andrew often finds himself in Penelope's company having wild adventures thanks to her poor eyesight! Miss Worthy becomes increasingly jealous of the attention her fiance pays to Penelope and Miss Worthy's rejected suitor tries to bring about an end to the engagement. Little did he suspect that Lord Andrew's perfect countenance was crumbling with every encounter with Penelope. Lord Andrew attempts to be correct but feelings and emotions win out in the end. I really liked this book. It was loosely based on Pride and Prejudice without being a copycat. Penelope was intelligent and witty and I really related to her. The romance got a little too "warm" towards the end but it didn't get too graphic. I highly recommend this book to fans of Pride and Prejudice.
January 27, 2022
I listened to the audio version of this Historical Romantic Comedy. The speakers were very dramatic and really did a convincing job with the various characters. The H and h don’t get on but the chemistry is there. The H parents are over the top. Read or listen and you”ll be laughing through out the tale.
March 9, 2013
Fun read! Light-hearted story with lots of great twists and turns. Fast-moving and yet, not predictable. Perfect for a cold winter's afternoon with a cup of warm cocoa. Lots of laughs!
February 13, 2024
Entertaining, forced-proximity, Regency romcom
Lord Andrew Childe is the 32-year-old, younger son of the Duke and Duchess of Parkworth. He is known among the denizens of the ton as a perfect gentleman. He is handsome, faultlessly dressed, and a famous whip. As a former army officer, he has impressively erect military bearing, and he has an excellent physique, because he regularly fences, rides, and boxes with Gentleman Jackson. Though he's rather stuffy, his manners are impeccable, and he is quite intelligent. He is so well educated, in fact, he reads ancient Greek easily and writes witty poems in Latin. Best of all, in the eyes of his peers, he is quite wealthy. When he obtained his majority, his father signed over a minor ducal estate to him. Andrew diligently studied all the latest scientific advancements in agriculture and employed them on his estate, which prospered greatly as a result. Rather than expending his considerable profits on idle frivolity, especially gambling, as so many aristocratic men did, he instead invested the money wisely, greatly expanding his riches in the process. Though he can well afford to purchase his own second home in London, he spends the season in the huge mansion of his extremely eccentric parents. As he sees it, there is no need to unnecessarily waste money on his own bachelor lodgings when he enjoys the comfortable way his mother runs her household.
As a result of all of these advantages, for years Lord Andrew has been rated a magnificent catch on the marriage mart, but he has never had any interest in insipid debutantes. He has calmly and rationally decided it is time for him to settle down, and he has carefully chosen a moderately attractive, 28-year-old, equally conventional woman from the untitled aristocracy, Miss Ann Worthy. With no sign of untoward emotion from either of the two of them, Andrew proposes, Ann accepts, and they exchange a brief kiss on the lips that is as exciting to him as kissing a marble effigy. Unfortunately, though Andrew normally derives considerable satisfaction from doing what he considers the proper thing, based on how he was raised by his much revered, currently deceased tutor, he finds himself feeling curiously empty inside after successfully accomplishing this crucial milestone in his life.
Soon after Andrew's engagement is formally announced, his mother embarks on another of a long string of sponsoring lame ducks. This time around, her attention has been caught by a young woman who lives in a Sussex village owned by the Duke. The local squire, Sir Hector Mortimer, recently died, leaving an estate heavily encumbered by debts to his 19-year-old daughter, Penelope. When the local vicar writes the Duchess about Penelope's plight, she is thrilled at the possibility of sponsoring a new lame duck and sets out at once for the village. Since the previous damsels that the Duchess had sponsored had all been plain, she is immediately enthralled with the possibilities presented by Penelope's stunning beauty. She avidly envisions the triumph of bringing her out and marrying her off to a titled aristocrat. But Penelope has no interest in this plan. She explains that her mother died some years ago, and her father died a year ago. She has sold all his property and, after paying off his obligations, has enough money left to maintain herself indefinitely. She has chosen a tidy little cottage in the village to purchase and plans to live in a simple style, growing vegetables, doing her own cooking and cleaning, and offering music lessons as a source of additional income. She has no desire to marry. But the determined Duchess refuses to take, no, for an answer. She basically blackmails Penelope into coming with her, via the implied threat that, if Penelope does not give in, she won't get her cottage, and she won't be able to stay in the village. Penelope realizes that, if she were forced to move to some other village, where the residents have not known her during her whole life, she would be forced to hire a companion, which she cannot afford to do.
Due to Andrew's living with his parents, he and Penelope are constantly thrown together throughout this novel. There are two main romantic conflicts. First, and most problematic, is that he is engaged throughout the vast majority of this novel, even if it is a loveless match on both sides. Second is his prejudice against teenaged debutantes, though practical Penelope is anything but typical of that breed.
Overall, this is a classic Marion Chesney, Regency romcom, with most of the humor in this comedy of errors arising from slapstick situations and bizarre characters, especially the wacky Duchess.
In comparison to the vast majority of MC's Regencies, the romance is the primary plot in this novel. There is no murder mystery with evil villains dominating the story, which is a huge plus to me personally. The two main antagonists are the Duchess and a determined suitor of Ann, who is desperate to break up her engagement with Andrew.
Most of the novel, Andrew behaves rather pompously toward Penelope, but she is a strong FMC, who continually stands up to him.
As is the case in all of MC's novels, there is no onstage sex. But there are some humorously sensual scenes, including a bit of accidental nudity after one of the slapstick situations.
Overall, I rate this novel as 3.5 stars, which I have rounded to 4 stars.
Lord Andrew Childe is the 32-year-old, younger son of the Duke and Duchess of Parkworth. He is known among the denizens of the ton as a perfect gentleman. He is handsome, faultlessly dressed, and a famous whip. As a former army officer, he has impressively erect military bearing, and he has an excellent physique, because he regularly fences, rides, and boxes with Gentleman Jackson. Though he's rather stuffy, his manners are impeccable, and he is quite intelligent. He is so well educated, in fact, he reads ancient Greek easily and writes witty poems in Latin. Best of all, in the eyes of his peers, he is quite wealthy. When he obtained his majority, his father signed over a minor ducal estate to him. Andrew diligently studied all the latest scientific advancements in agriculture and employed them on his estate, which prospered greatly as a result. Rather than expending his considerable profits on idle frivolity, especially gambling, as so many aristocratic men did, he instead invested the money wisely, greatly expanding his riches in the process. Though he can well afford to purchase his own second home in London, he spends the season in the huge mansion of his extremely eccentric parents. As he sees it, there is no need to unnecessarily waste money on his own bachelor lodgings when he enjoys the comfortable way his mother runs her household.
As a result of all of these advantages, for years Lord Andrew has been rated a magnificent catch on the marriage mart, but he has never had any interest in insipid debutantes. He has calmly and rationally decided it is time for him to settle down, and he has carefully chosen a moderately attractive, 28-year-old, equally conventional woman from the untitled aristocracy, Miss Ann Worthy. With no sign of untoward emotion from either of the two of them, Andrew proposes, Ann accepts, and they exchange a brief kiss on the lips that is as exciting to him as kissing a marble effigy. Unfortunately, though Andrew normally derives considerable satisfaction from doing what he considers the proper thing, based on how he was raised by his much revered, currently deceased tutor, he finds himself feeling curiously empty inside after successfully accomplishing this crucial milestone in his life.
Soon after Andrew's engagement is formally announced, his mother embarks on another of a long string of sponsoring lame ducks. This time around, her attention has been caught by a young woman who lives in a Sussex village owned by the Duke. The local squire, Sir Hector Mortimer, recently died, leaving an estate heavily encumbered by debts to his 19-year-old daughter, Penelope. When the local vicar writes the Duchess about Penelope's plight, she is thrilled at the possibility of sponsoring a new lame duck and sets out at once for the village. Since the previous damsels that the Duchess had sponsored had all been plain, she is immediately enthralled with the possibilities presented by Penelope's stunning beauty. She avidly envisions the triumph of bringing her out and marrying her off to a titled aristocrat. But Penelope has no interest in this plan. She explains that her mother died some years ago, and her father died a year ago. She has sold all his property and, after paying off his obligations, has enough money left to maintain herself indefinitely. She has chosen a tidy little cottage in the village to purchase and plans to live in a simple style, growing vegetables, doing her own cooking and cleaning, and offering music lessons as a source of additional income. She has no desire to marry. But the determined Duchess refuses to take, no, for an answer. She basically blackmails Penelope into coming with her, via the implied threat that, if Penelope does not give in, she won't get her cottage, and she won't be able to stay in the village. Penelope realizes that, if she were forced to move to some other village, where the residents have not known her during her whole life, she would be forced to hire a companion, which she cannot afford to do.
Due to Andrew's living with his parents, he and Penelope are constantly thrown together throughout this novel. There are two main romantic conflicts. First, and most problematic, is that he is engaged throughout the vast majority of this novel, even if it is a loveless match on both sides. Second is his prejudice against teenaged debutantes, though practical Penelope is anything but typical of that breed.
Overall, this is a classic Marion Chesney, Regency romcom, with most of the humor in this comedy of errors arising from slapstick situations and bizarre characters, especially the wacky Duchess.
In comparison to the vast majority of MC's Regencies, the romance is the primary plot in this novel. There is no murder mystery with evil villains dominating the story, which is a huge plus to me personally. The two main antagonists are the Duchess and a determined suitor of Ann, who is desperate to break up her engagement with Andrew.
Most of the novel, Andrew behaves rather pompously toward Penelope, but she is a strong FMC, who continually stands up to him.
As is the case in all of MC's novels, there is no onstage sex. But there are some humorously sensual scenes, including a bit of accidental nudity after one of the slapstick situations.
Overall, I rate this novel as 3.5 stars, which I have rounded to 4 stars.
January 12, 2016
3.5 stars - Usual Chesney formula - poor, sensible country miss meets pompous, handsome aristocrat as cranky, eccentric aristocratic elders plot in the background. Featherlight and fun way to pass a weekend afternoon, this book allowed for more actual interplay between the two leads, which was a welcome change from several of Chesney's other Regencies I have read over the years. Only 3.5 stars because of the author's annoying habit of over explaining, and telling, not showing, to move the plot along; the heroine has poor eyesight and wearing spectacles is frowned up in the vain Regency era, so Chesney repeatedly makes ham-handed references to the fact and to the heroine's hesitation to admit her need for glasses. It was aggravating, and I've seen this author do it time and time again writing Regencies as Marion Chesney and mysteries as M.C. Beaton - summing up a character's frame of mind or motivation in a tidy little package rather than showing it. Almost all of her books, mysteries and romances, seem to come in just under 200 pages, and she's certainly written a lot of books, so I assume it's just a convenient way to churn them out - it just comes across as lazy and formulaic. Otherwise recommended for fans of light, fluffy Regency farces.
September 22, 2023
Fluffy regency, as expected. A bit of an “R” rating towards the end.
October 2, 2020
3.5 out of 5 stars
May 1, 2014
totally not expecting to enjoy this book, but ended up loving all the characters and their idiosyncrasies. Loved how the dukes (both of them) and duchess are so wrapped up in their own importance to notice reality. loved how the perfect gentleman's fiancée created her own reality, how she spread her own view of how everyone viewed her. In reading this book, I realized it must be convenient to have such a large ego that it edges out the inconveniences of reality. Really enjoyed how the hero changed, loved the practical no-nonsense nature of the heronine and how she keeps him in line
September 5, 2010
The hero in this book was too dull and beta for my taste. Not to mention, I just started taking college classes and can't afford to waste my time on books that are boring! Glad this one was free.
December 24, 2014
This one was funnier than most of Marion Chesney ' work. I love the banter between Penelope and Lord Andrew.
February 22, 2022
3.5🌟 I'm happy to have finished the Love & Temptation series by Marion Chesney. Overall, it was a very entertaining ready experience. Although this one rated a little lower than some, it was higher than others.
I appreciated Penelope's vision problems (as I am nearsighted myself) and I thought she was a very sensible person. She wasn't meek, but she was polite and tried to stand up for herself a number of times. I loved that she wanted to have her own cottage in the country, teach, and grow vegetables.
As usual, I felt frustrated with the main male character of this story. He's always handsome, tall, dark-haired, aloof, and proud. Though, on the other hand, valuing justice, honesty and harboring deep passions. I always ask myself, "Why can't he just get over his resentments and try to see things from someone else's point of view??" But, of course, there wouldn't be a story if he acted with compassion, understanding and kindness at the very start.
This was a quick and fun read and I'm glad to have read it. Also, I'm happy to have finished this series. I'm going to try more Georgette Heyer books and see what I think before continuing on with more of Marion Chesney's collections. Definitely a great book to take on a trip, to the beach, or on vacation.
I appreciated Penelope's vision problems (as I am nearsighted myself) and I thought she was a very sensible person. She wasn't meek, but she was polite and tried to stand up for herself a number of times. I loved that she wanted to have her own cottage in the country, teach, and grow vegetables.
As usual, I felt frustrated with the main male character of this story. He's always handsome, tall, dark-haired, aloof, and proud. Though, on the other hand, valuing justice, honesty and harboring deep passions. I always ask myself, "Why can't he just get over his resentments and try to see things from someone else's point of view??" But, of course, there wouldn't be a story if he acted with compassion, understanding and kindness at the very start.
This was a quick and fun read and I'm glad to have read it. Also, I'm happy to have finished this series. I'm going to try more Georgette Heyer books and see what I think before continuing on with more of Marion Chesney's collections. Definitely a great book to take on a trip, to the beach, or on vacation.
February 13, 2024
Entertaining, forced-proximity, Regency romcom
Lord Andrew Childe is the 32-year-old, younger son of the Duke and Duchess of Parkworth. He is known among the denizens of the ton as a perfect gentleman. He is handsome, faultlessly dressed, and a famous whip. As a former army officer, he has impressively erect military bearing, and he has an excellent physique, because he regularly fences, rides, and boxes with Gentleman Jackson. Though he's rather stuffy, his manners are impeccable, and he is quite intelligent. He is so well educated, in fact, he reads ancient Greek easily and writes witty poems in Latin. Best of all, in the eyes of his peers, he is quite wealthy. When he obtained his majority, his father signed over a minor ducal estate to him. Andrew diligently studied all the latest scientific advancements in agriculture and employed them on his estate, which prospered greatly as a result. Rather than expending his considerable profits on idle frivolity, especially gambling, as so many aristocratic men did, he instead invested the money wisely, greatly expanding his riches in the process. Though he can well afford to purchase his own second home in London, he spends the season in the huge mansion of his extremely eccentric parents. As he sees it, there is no need to unnecessarily waste money on his own bachelor lodgings when he enjoys the comfortable way his mother runs her household.
As a result of all of these advantages, for years Lord Andrew has been rated a magnificent catch on the marriage mart, but he has never had any interest in insipid debutantes. He has calmly and rationally decided it is time for him to settle down, and he has carefully chosen a moderately attractive, 28-year-old, equally conventional woman from the untitled aristocracy, Miss Ann Worthy. With no sign of untoward emotion from either of the two of them, Andrew proposes, Ann accepts, and they exchange a brief kiss on the lips that is as exciting to him as kissing a marble effigy. Unfortunately, though Andrew normally derives considerable satisfaction from doing what he considers the proper thing, based on how he was raised by his much revered, currently deceased tutor, he finds himself feeling curiously empty inside after successfully accomplishing this crucial milestone in his life.
Soon after Andrew's engagement is formally announced, his mother embarks on another of a long string of sponsoring lame ducks. This time around, her attention has been caught by a young woman who lives in a Sussex village owned by the Duke. The local squire, Sir Hector Mortimer, recently died, leaving an estate heavily encumbered by debts to his 19-year-old daughter, Penelope. When the local vicar writes the Duchess about Penelope's plight, she is thrilled at the possibility of sponsoring a new lame duck and sets out at once for the village. Since the previous damsels that the Duchess had sponsored had all been plain, she is immediately enthralled with the possibilities presented by Penelope's stunning beauty. She avidly envisions the triumph of bringing her out and marrying her off to a titled aristocrat. But Penelope has no interest in this plan. She explains that her mother died some years ago, and her father died a year ago. She has sold all his property and, after paying off his obligations, has enough money left to maintain herself indefinitely. She has chosen a tidy little cottage in the village to purchase and plans to live in a simple style, growing vegetables, doing her own cooking and cleaning, and offering music lessons as a source of additional income. She has no desire to marry. But the determined Duchess refuses to take, no, for an answer. She basically blackmails Penelope into coming with her, via the implied threat that, if Penelope does not give in, she won't get her cottage, and she won't be able to stay in the village. Penelope realizes that, if she were forced to move to some other village, where the residents have not known her during her whole life, she would be forced to hire a companion, which she cannot afford to do.
Due to Andrew's living with his parents, he and Penelope are constantly thrown together throughout this novel. There are two main romantic conflicts. First, and most problematic, is that he is engaged throughout the vast majority of this novel, even if it is a loveless match on both sides. Second is his prejudice against teenaged debutantes, though practical Penelope is anything but typical of that breed.
Overall, this is a classic Marion Chesney, Regency romcom, with most of the humor in this comedy of errors arising from slapstick situations and bizarre characters, especially the wacky Duchess.
In comparison to the vast majority of MC's Regencies, the romance is the primary plot in this novel. There is no murder mystery with evil villains dominating the story, which is a huge plus to me personally. The two main antagonists are the Duchess and a determined suitor of Ann, who is desperate to break up her engagement with Andrew.
Most of the novel, Andrew behaves rather pompously toward Penelope, but she is a strong FMC, who continually stands up to him.
As is the case in all of MC's novels, there is no onstage sex. But there are some humorously sensual scenes, including a bit of accidental nudity after one of the slapstick situations.
Overall, I rate this novel as 3.5 stars, which I have rounded to 4 stars.
Lord Andrew Childe is the 32-year-old, younger son of the Duke and Duchess of Parkworth. He is known among the denizens of the ton as a perfect gentleman. He is handsome, faultlessly dressed, and a famous whip. As a former army officer, he has impressively erect military bearing, and he has an excellent physique, because he regularly fences, rides, and boxes with Gentleman Jackson. Though he's rather stuffy, his manners are impeccable, and he is quite intelligent. He is so well educated, in fact, he reads ancient Greek easily and writes witty poems in Latin. Best of all, in the eyes of his peers, he is quite wealthy. When he obtained his majority, his father signed over a minor ducal estate to him. Andrew diligently studied all the latest scientific advancements in agriculture and employed them on his estate, which prospered greatly as a result. Rather than expending his considerable profits on idle frivolity, especially gambling, as so many aristocratic men did, he instead invested the money wisely, greatly expanding his riches in the process. Though he can well afford to purchase his own second home in London, he spends the season in the huge mansion of his extremely eccentric parents. As he sees it, there is no need to unnecessarily waste money on his own bachelor lodgings when he enjoys the comfortable way his mother runs her household.
As a result of all of these advantages, for years Lord Andrew has been rated a magnificent catch on the marriage mart, but he has never had any interest in insipid debutantes. He has calmly and rationally decided it is time for him to settle down, and he has carefully chosen a moderately attractive, 28-year-old, equally conventional woman from the untitled aristocracy, Miss Ann Worthy. With no sign of untoward emotion from either of the two of them, Andrew proposes, Ann accepts, and they exchange a brief kiss on the lips that is as exciting to him as kissing a marble effigy. Unfortunately, though Andrew normally derives considerable satisfaction from doing what he considers the proper thing, based on how he was raised by his much revered, currently deceased tutor, he finds himself feeling curiously empty inside after successfully accomplishing this crucial milestone in his life.
Soon after Andrew's engagement is formally announced, his mother embarks on another of a long string of sponsoring lame ducks. This time around, her attention has been caught by a young woman who lives in a Sussex village owned by the Duke. The local squire, Sir Hector Mortimer, recently died, leaving an estate heavily encumbered by debts to his 19-year-old daughter, Penelope. When the local vicar writes the Duchess about Penelope's plight, she is thrilled at the possibility of sponsoring a new lame duck and sets out at once for the village. Since the previous damsels that the Duchess had sponsored had all been plain, she is immediately enthralled with the possibilities presented by Penelope's stunning beauty. She avidly envisions the triumph of bringing her out and marrying her off to a titled aristocrat. But Penelope has no interest in this plan. She explains that her mother died some years ago, and her father died a year ago. She has sold all his property and, after paying off his obligations, has enough money left to maintain herself indefinitely. She has chosen a tidy little cottage in the village to purchase and plans to live in a simple style, growing vegetables, doing her own cooking and cleaning, and offering music lessons as a source of additional income. She has no desire to marry. But the determined Duchess refuses to take, no, for an answer. She basically blackmails Penelope into coming with her, via the implied threat that, if Penelope does not give in, she won't get her cottage, and she won't be able to stay in the village. Penelope realizes that, if she were forced to move to some other village, where the residents have not known her during her whole life, she would be forced to hire a companion, which she cannot afford to do.
Due to Andrew's living with his parents, he and Penelope are constantly thrown together throughout this novel. There are two main romantic conflicts. First, and most problematic, is that he is engaged throughout the vast majority of this novel, even if it is a loveless match on both sides. Second is his prejudice against teenaged debutantes, though practical Penelope is anything but typical of that breed.
Overall, this is a classic Marion Chesney, Regency romcom, with most of the humor in this comedy of errors arising from slapstick situations and bizarre characters, especially the wacky Duchess.
In comparison to the vast majority of MC's Regencies, the romance is the primary plot in this novel. There is no murder mystery with evil villains dominating the story, which is a huge plus to me personally. The two main antagonists are the Duchess and a determined suitor of Ann, who is desperate to break up her engagement with Andrew.
Most of the novel, Andrew behaves rather pompously toward Penelope, but she is a strong FMC, who continually stands up to him.
As is the case in all of MC's novels, there is no onstage sex. But there are some humorously sensual scenes, including a bit of accidental nudity after one of the slapstick situations.
Overall, I rate this novel as 3.5 stars, which I have rounded to 4 stars.
July 19, 2020
Penelope is a strong minded young woman who is rushed off her feet and bullied by Andrew's mother the Duchess to become one of her lame ducks. But Penelope longs to live quietly in a cottage in the country and has everything set up. Andrew, the Perfect Gentleman is totally taken aback by Penelope and their tempestuous romance is a delight to read. Highly entertaining.
May 16, 2017
A little silly, but not bad.
August 25, 2017
Another good historical read by M C Beaton.
March 15, 2021
Having both watched Bridgerton twice, I got this for my daughter and I to read out loud in the car on the way home from Florida. It was a pleasant way to help pass the time.
January 26, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up -- I don't often read Regency romances, but Charlotte Anne Dore's narration made this book particularly entertaining.
March 25, 2023
Just fun.
April 21, 2023
Penelope was likable and funny but Andrew was irritating. I did like their banter
August 18, 2023
Great characters, lots of fun mishaps.
November 4, 2023
This one was perfection!
Read
January 17, 2024Cute. It was pretty funny until they got stuck in a ruin. Also the preacher was funny. This story was deeply unserious. Hated the ending tho.
January 17, 2024
What a delightful regency romp. Perfect to chase the winter blues away.
May 18, 2025
Fun
This is different from her other books, though all have their own unique plot. I enjoyed the simplicity and strong women in the story. Good ending.
This is different from her other books, though all have their own unique plot. I enjoyed the simplicity and strong women in the story. Good ending.
January 21, 2026
Such a fun Regency tale! Marion Chesney is the queen of Victorian England's tales!
October 19, 2016
A nice romp through the Regency world laced with humor and bickering which you just know by the end of the book will continue for decades to entertain the couple in question.
Read
September 14, 2016I like these book, I really do they are generally sweet, cute and have a HEA. But if you read enough of them; not just this series but all the Beaton/ Chesney Regency romances you will find themes and scenes that repeat.
In this book the Perfect younger son of a Duke and his deranged wife has finally determined his bride and proposed then his mother's latest 'project' arrives - a long-sighted miss of a genteel poverty background and the stunning looks of a goddess.
As they interact he realizes that his choice to marry for a good dowry and societal expectations have been wrong and he is in love. But they fight like Kate & Petruchio. Still people and situations conspire to trap them together.
In this book the Perfect younger son of a Duke and his deranged wife has finally determined his bride and proposed then his mother's latest 'project' arrives - a long-sighted miss of a genteel poverty background and the stunning looks of a goddess.
As they interact he realizes that his choice to marry for a good dowry and societal expectations have been wrong and he is in love. But they fight like Kate & Petruchio. Still people and situations conspire to trap them together.
February 20, 2016
(2015) I wonder why I continue reading Marion Chesney's stories.
Maybe it's just that I don't want to think, but simply enjoy the fun scenes, the nuts people, the satire and the fast pace of her books.
I know there are historical romance books much better than this!!! :-D
***
(2016) Sometimes this happens to absent-minded people like me.
I have read this book for the second time, because I didn't remember I read it last year! :-D
Not an unpleasant book, I like Marion Chesney whenever I don't want to think too much while reading.
Maybe it's just that I don't want to think, but simply enjoy the fun scenes, the nuts people, the satire and the fast pace of her books.
I know there are historical romance books much better than this!!! :-D
***
(2016) Sometimes this happens to absent-minded people like me.
I have read this book for the second time, because I didn't remember I read it last year! :-D
Not an unpleasant book, I like Marion Chesney whenever I don't want to think too much while reading.
May 30, 2015
I really liked Penelope and her no-nonsense style. Childe was a bit of a prick all the way through. I know that there was definite shadowing of Pride and Prejudice and for this but that's a hard line to tread. You want your main character to be uncouth and unlikable at first to make the redemption aspect better. But the justifications for Childe being a misogynistic prick and his eventual redemption from this never quite got to the point where I liked him again. Still, rock on for his taste in ladies. Penelope was lovely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2015
I really enjoyed this one. It made me chuckle out loud at times and I the heroine Penelope was quite likeable. There were a few things I didn't find particularly believable, but I so thoroughly enjoyed the story it didn't really matter.
I listened to the audio version of this book, and initially the narrator's voice grated, but in time I got used to it and it eventually added to the content of the story.
If you like your historical romance sweet, then this book is for you. Four stars.
I listened to the audio version of this book, and initially the narrator's voice grated, but in time I got used to it and it eventually added to the content of the story.
If you like your historical romance sweet, then this book is for you. Four stars.
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