What do you think?
Rate this book
Love #7
Lessons in Love
Lady Lucinda Esmond discovers that she has been betrothed by her womanizing, gambler father to a young man who had kidnapped her when she was ten years old--after having been cheated by her father--and who is now a wealthy marquess
160 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 1987
59 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books752 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 4, 2016
OH MY GOSH! This was my FAVORITE in high school! I read every Marion Chesney book I could get my hands on, and loved them all, but this one was a standout for being both weirder than most and yet satisfyingly true to the formula. I had forgotten the title, though, and haven't been able to figure it out until now!
I must find myself a copy to cherish!
I shall say no more about it, except that if you love Chesney's Regency romances, which are full of heaving bosoms, daffy humor, historical tidbits, and frequent cases of murder, this one is a must have!
Reread 2016: Just bought my own copy! Woo! This one is sooo crazy!
I must find myself a copy to cherish!
I shall say no more about it, except that if you love Chesney's Regency romances, which are full of heaving bosoms, daffy humor, historical tidbits, and frequent cases of murder, this one is a must have!
Reread 2016: Just bought my own copy! Woo! This one is sooo crazy!
April 25, 2018
EXCERPT: Lady Lucinda Esmond was described by the servants as 'an old-fashioned child'. They all believed she would not live long. She was mature beyond her years, which showed that God intended to package that biblical lifespan of three score years and ten into a short space of time.
There was little doubt about it. The angelswould call for her very shortly.
Lady Lucinda'sfather was the Earl of Sotheran. His remaining friends and relatives also believed that Lucinda was not long for this world - but for less romantic reasons. They were sure that the Earl would drive his ten year old daughter to an early grave with his choleric bad temper, in the way he had bullied his young bride, Lucinda's mother, into her deathbed.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Lady Lucinda Esmond's swine of a father, the Earl of Sotheran, was forever fleecing young bucks in London's gaming halls with impunity--until he cheats Captain Mark Chamfrey, who kidnaps ten-year-old Lucinda for ransom.But when Chamfrey has a change of heart and returns the girl, Earl Esmond nonetheless exacts his own price: Chamfrey can only redeem himself and save his skin by marrying his little victim nine years hence. Lucinda's father could not have foreseen what a beauty Lucinda would become, nor that Chamfrey, a newly made Marquess, would find that what was supposed to be his punishment turns out be exactly what he desires!
MY THOUGHTS: An entertaining, light-hearted audiobook that I was able to listen to without having to remember complicated plots or hoards of characters, this was exactly what my overtired brain needed. The storyline is simple, the characters equally so. I didn't like it enough to make the effort to listen to any more of the series, but there is nothing drastically wrong with it either. Regency romance is really not my thing, but because I enjoy M. C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series I thought I would try one of her romances. Been there, done that, cross it off the list.
I listened to Lessons in Love by M.C. Beaton writing as Marion Chesney, narrated by Vanessa Benjamin and published by Blackstone Audio via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
There was little doubt about it. The angelswould call for her very shortly.
Lady Lucinda'sfather was the Earl of Sotheran. His remaining friends and relatives also believed that Lucinda was not long for this world - but for less romantic reasons. They were sure that the Earl would drive his ten year old daughter to an early grave with his choleric bad temper, in the way he had bullied his young bride, Lucinda's mother, into her deathbed.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Lady Lucinda Esmond's swine of a father, the Earl of Sotheran, was forever fleecing young bucks in London's gaming halls with impunity--until he cheats Captain Mark Chamfrey, who kidnaps ten-year-old Lucinda for ransom.But when Chamfrey has a change of heart and returns the girl, Earl Esmond nonetheless exacts his own price: Chamfrey can only redeem himself and save his skin by marrying his little victim nine years hence. Lucinda's father could not have foreseen what a beauty Lucinda would become, nor that Chamfrey, a newly made Marquess, would find that what was supposed to be his punishment turns out be exactly what he desires!
MY THOUGHTS: An entertaining, light-hearted audiobook that I was able to listen to without having to remember complicated plots or hoards of characters, this was exactly what my overtired brain needed. The storyline is simple, the characters equally so. I didn't like it enough to make the effort to listen to any more of the series, but there is nothing drastically wrong with it either. Regency romance is really not my thing, but because I enjoy M. C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series I thought I would try one of her romances. Been there, done that, cross it off the list.
I listened to Lessons in Love by M.C. Beaton writing as Marion Chesney, narrated by Vanessa Benjamin and published by Blackstone Audio via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
September 23, 2020
2.5 stars
November 7, 2022
"What is love?" she asked...
"It is a perpetual longing for someone that gets into your blood. That someone lives inside your head, haunting you, filling your soul with dreams-dreams that could well turn to tragedy were they never to be fulfilled," he reaplied...
This time I am really disappointed that this story by Marion Chesney was so short. I know it is her way of writing but it could have been one of the best Regency romance. There was something new (or at least not so often used in the genre), there was a thrill, there was a glance at the other side of London, there were interesting characters, and most of all, there was a great idea for a love story. It was a waste of potential. But still, definitely worth reading. I would have given it 5-stars if there was more place (pages) for the love story, at least.
June 22, 2017
This was so awesomely funny. Might be my favorite M.C. Beaton/Marion Chesney book. (Mild spoiler is an early plot point comment, but I know some people like to go in blind.) Hero kidnaps heroine to hold for ransom when she’s young. Her father is a nasty character who recognizes the hero will someday have a title and money and decides not to press charges if the two get betrothed. The heroine comes of age and contacts her aged grandmother to come take her away. She is more drawn to fops because of her experience with her father, but the hero meets his mature betrothed and wants her. This book was spot-on for the various point-of-views in it, even if you only crossed paths with them for a second. I loved the hero's character. I'd include my favorite lines but they're sort of spoilers in this case. Le sigh.
Oh, and this particular "series" of books is loosely-related based on themes stand-alones for the most part. No need to read in order or even read other books in series though I have liked several others.
Oh, and this particular "series" of books is loosely-related based on themes stand-alones for the most part. No need to read in order or even read other books in series though I have liked several others.
April 17, 2017
Lady Lucinda Esmonda was raised by such an evil man that she has sworn off men altogether, planning to avoid marriage including to the man her father arranged for her when she was only 10. Chamfrey wants out of the engagement as well, that is until he meets Lady Lucinda as the beautiful young woman she has grown up to be. Unfortunately she is engaged to another man and he has to convince her to take him instead.
This book was so short and conflicts were resolved so quickly it practically felt like an outline. Despite being a mere 160 pages, it contains a worthless and morally bankrupt father, a forced engagement, multiple adjustments to wills, a fop for a fiance, a kidnapping, a planned rape, doxies and brothels, crazy relatives, several inheritances of large sums of money, at least 3 murders, and I'm sure I am missing much more. It felt like every dramatic plot twist was brought into make a head-spinning story in which a lot happens, but the characters don't have much depth. It was a hilarious farce.
This book was so short and conflicts were resolved so quickly it practically felt like an outline. Despite being a mere 160 pages, it contains a worthless and morally bankrupt father, a forced engagement, multiple adjustments to wills, a fop for a fiance, a kidnapping, a planned rape, doxies and brothels, crazy relatives, several inheritances of large sums of money, at least 3 murders, and I'm sure I am missing much more. It felt like every dramatic plot twist was brought into make a head-spinning story in which a lot happens, but the characters don't have much depth. It was a hilarious farce.
February 8, 2017
This was just a really weird book to me. I read it because I have enjoyed a couple of this author's other books (from the Hamish Macbeth series, under the M.C. Beaton name). Not sure exactly what I expected but it wasn't a grandma going about murdering people. It reads like a serious book, (historical romantic suspense) but maybe it is supposed to be a farce.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2018
One Tough Old Lady
Ha. The old Countess was one tough customer. Nothing in this story is what it seems. Keep reading and it changes. Excellent. One of the author's best books for romance suspense, but our hero while compitant actually doesn't save the day, the old Countess does.
Ha. The old Countess was one tough customer. Nothing in this story is what it seems. Keep reading and it changes. Excellent. One of the author's best books for romance suspense, but our hero while compitant actually doesn't save the day, the old Countess does.
June 22, 2019
Very Arsenic & Old Lace of a book. Some rather funny parts though.
March 6, 2022
A strange, dark, little book.
July 9, 2023
WOW. this has more corpses than hamlet.
March 11, 2025
Craziest story that I ever read.
June 22, 2025
LOL I don't even know where to start with this book or how to rate it. It throws so much at the reader!
First, I will say that it has the feel of an 18 century, Georgian/Regency era gothic, with the over the top evil, gross, father, kidnappings, murders, intrepid (beautiful) heroine who magically grows up an educated and moral and innocent young lady despite having no education, no governesses, no protection, etc. Also blackmail, a murderous guardian, overly romantic and elegant settings filled with intrigue, it just has almost but not quite that feel of the type of gothic Jane Austen's characters would have read.
Oh, and it also has a character named Gotobed. Go to bed. Why would you name a character something that is an actual sentence/phrase? Without addressing it at all?
Anyhow, I'm at about 50% and there's already been three murders so far, and 2 blackmailers. And one murder-granny who's getting a hankering for murder, so I'm thinking there's about to be another one lol.
I was really pissed off though at the grandma gaslighting the FMC into thinking she was hallucinating when seeing a dead body. That is not cool.
First, I will say that it has the feel of an 18 century, Georgian/Regency era gothic, with the over the top evil, gross, father, kidnappings, murders, intrepid (beautiful) heroine who magically grows up an educated and moral and innocent young lady despite having no education, no governesses, no protection, etc. Also blackmail, a murderous guardian, overly romantic and elegant settings filled with intrigue, it just has almost but not quite that feel of the type of gothic Jane Austen's characters would have read.
Oh, and it also has a character named Gotobed. Go to bed. Why would you name a character something that is an actual sentence/phrase? Without addressing it at all?
Anyhow, I'm at about 50% and there's already been three murders so far, and 2 blackmailers. And one murder-granny who's getting a hankering for murder, so I'm thinking there's about to be another one lol.
I was really pissed off though at the grandma gaslighting the FMC into thinking she was hallucinating when seeing a dead body. That is not cool.
November 12, 2024
My rating system:
5 stars: The best I've read in a while & for sure will re-read in the future. Definitely recommending to friends.
4 stars: Still a great book, and will re-read in the future. Would possibly recommend.
3 stars: Good book, but probably too predictable.
2 stars: Finished the book, but didn't like it.
1 star: Hated it; wouldn't even finish it.
5 stars: The best I've read in a while & for sure will re-read in the future. Definitely recommending to friends.
4 stars: Still a great book, and will re-read in the future. Would possibly recommend.
3 stars: Good book, but probably too predictable.
2 stars: Finished the book, but didn't like it.
1 star: Hated it; wouldn't even finish it.
September 4, 2017
I love these books! Lots of fun to read -- mystery & romance & one of my favorite eras, Regency England. Excellent escapism.
December 14, 2017
Marion really knows how to the same story, in a thousand different ways. I love the book and the story. In the end she marrys her kidnapper and her grandmother lives.
August 7, 2019
Clever and Funny
October 17, 2019
awful
August 23, 2021
This book was very good. I enjoyed it.
September 9, 2022
Rollicking adventure among the disreputable upper crust, rife with complications and deceptions, murder and mayhem.
October 22, 2022
I loved this story. I read it four days.
October 23, 2022
A must read tale of outright cruelty, greed, gambling, kidnapping, A bitter old woman, then finally love!
February 22, 2023
Easy read but has some interesting twists and turns.
July 30, 2023
Kinda boring. Took me a while to finish. No real spark between Lucinda and the Marquess. Lucinda was cold and marquees was ambiguous.
November 20, 2023
Charming love story.
December 17, 2024
It's some of her stand up melodrama work. It felt like watching "Jane the virgin."
January 2, 2026
Not bad, but don't expect Georgette Heyer
June 28, 2020
I’m new to M.C. Beaton, and what a quirky and modern take on the classic Regency gothic novel. Surprisingly cheeky and witty, deliberately dramatic, Lessons In Love is my first Beaton read, and I was entertained.
April 21, 2023
I was looking on Libby for an audiobook set in the UK (British narrators are less distracting to me than American) to listen to while I cook. I recalled enjoying some of Marion Chesney’s (aka MC Beaton) books in the past, and this one was available right away. I enjoyed the first half quite a bit, but then it got simultaneously dark, steamy, and silly. It was entertaining overall, but I don’t like it well enough to read the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews