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The School For Manners #2
Perfecting Fiona
Amy and Effy Tribble wonder why Miss Fiona Macleod needs their London society School for Manners. She is demure, refined, and in demand. But Fiona is a feisty flirt determined to shock suitors. She has no intention to marry, until Lord Peter Havard, turns his rakish eyes hither, and heated banter turns to torrid kisses.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
80 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books750 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 - 29 of 124 reviews
July 4, 2023
Perfect!
What a delightful book. Sometimes I need to take a step back from the horror, violence and gore. A historical mystery or historical romance is a good escape.
Perfecting Fiona is a great escape. It is a historical romance. Young Fiona has been offered several hands in marriage, but the deed is never done.
What’s going on? What is wrong with Fiona? Why isn’t she married?
Well that’s a problem for the Tribble sisters to solve. Will they be able to do so? Follow along as Amy and Effy Tribble take on the challenge of making a married woman out of Fiona.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a delightful book. Sometimes I need to take a step back from the horror, violence and gore. A historical mystery or historical romance is a good escape.
Perfecting Fiona is a great escape. It is a historical romance. Young Fiona has been offered several hands in marriage, but the deed is never done.
What’s going on? What is wrong with Fiona? Why isn’t she married?
Well that’s a problem for the Tribble sisters to solve. Will they be able to do so? Follow along as Amy and Effy Tribble take on the challenge of making a married woman out of Fiona.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 19, 2019
.
In the second volume of the School for Manners series, the Misses Tribble had been hired to assist in the reformation of a demure and refined Miss Fiona Macleod. The Misses Amy and Effy Tribble wonder why Miss Fiona Macleod needs their London society School for Manners. Each unique book includes a storyline that introduces you to delightful, likable, and colorful characters that enter the lives of the two eccentric older ladies, known as the Misses Amy and Effie Tribble, who advertised themselves to chaperone and sponsor 'difficult' young ladies. They each have quirky and distinct personalities.
"Miss Fiona MaCleod appeared to be high in high demand. But she is a feisty flirt determined to shock suitors. And, he has no intention to marry, until Lord Peter Havard, turns his rakish eyes hither, and heated banter turns to torrid kisses" . . .
OOK DESCRIPTION:
The redoubtable Tribble sisters are almost outfoxed by a young lady thrown on the London marriage mart, as they undertake another enterprise of matchmaking. Fiona McCloud, an implacable beauty, seems averse to marriage and is adept at dispatching would-be suitors for her hand and fortune. Her attitude undergoes a sea change with the appearance of rakish Lord Harvard. As he attempts to gain the approval of the Tribbles, a cast of familiar characters sets in motion the adventures that will aid and frustrate the spinster sisters as well as secure the proverbial romantic conclusion. The Regency formula is once again applied with panache and a foreshadowing of the next volume.
M. C. Beaton weaves tales of the era that are able to deliver a quick and humorous read focusing on the essence of the era, very able to keep your attention and entertain with escapades from historical London. Each unique storyline introduces you to delightful, likable, and colorful characters that enter the lives of the two eccentric older ladies, known as Amy and Effie Tribble, that are tasked with finding husbands for girls that are 'difficult' to deal with. They each have quirky and distinct personalities.
This tale is clean and wholesome, able to keep your attention and entertain with escapades from historical London. I especially enjoy the humorous bits. I enjoyed the audible version of this tale and the H.E.A., which also included a small mention for the set-up for the next installment in the series.
..
In the second volume of the School for Manners series, the Misses Tribble had been hired to assist in the reformation of a demure and refined Miss Fiona Macleod. The Misses Amy and Effy Tribble wonder why Miss Fiona Macleod needs their London society School for Manners. Each unique book includes a storyline that introduces you to delightful, likable, and colorful characters that enter the lives of the two eccentric older ladies, known as the Misses Amy and Effie Tribble, who advertised themselves to chaperone and sponsor 'difficult' young ladies. They each have quirky and distinct personalities.
"Miss Fiona MaCleod appeared to be high in high demand. But she is a feisty flirt determined to shock suitors. And, he has no intention to marry, until Lord Peter Havard, turns his rakish eyes hither, and heated banter turns to torrid kisses" . . .
OOK DESCRIPTION:
The redoubtable Tribble sisters are almost outfoxed by a young lady thrown on the London marriage mart, as they undertake another enterprise of matchmaking. Fiona McCloud, an implacable beauty, seems averse to marriage and is adept at dispatching would-be suitors for her hand and fortune. Her attitude undergoes a sea change with the appearance of rakish Lord Harvard. As he attempts to gain the approval of the Tribbles, a cast of familiar characters sets in motion the adventures that will aid and frustrate the spinster sisters as well as secure the proverbial romantic conclusion. The Regency formula is once again applied with panache and a foreshadowing of the next volume.
M. C. Beaton weaves tales of the era that are able to deliver a quick and humorous read focusing on the essence of the era, very able to keep your attention and entertain with escapades from historical London. Each unique storyline introduces you to delightful, likable, and colorful characters that enter the lives of the two eccentric older ladies, known as Amy and Effie Tribble, that are tasked with finding husbands for girls that are 'difficult' to deal with. They each have quirky and distinct personalities.
This tale is clean and wholesome, able to keep your attention and entertain with escapades from historical London. I especially enjoy the humorous bits. I enjoyed the audible version of this tale and the H.E.A., which also included a small mention for the set-up for the next installment in the series.
..
June 4, 2016
Esta autora deve ficar como a autora que dou só 3* LOL
Não dá para mais... Nunca revirei tantos os olhos mas as irmãs são engraçadas. lol
Minha opinião:
"Ora pois"... O livro, a estória... A Perfeição de Fiona é o segundo livro da série The School for Manners, em termos gerais a série desenrola-se à volta de duas irmãs de uma certa idade e com poucos recursos, estas resolvem abrir uma escola na sua casa, onde ensinam jovens em idade casadoira que tem um "rótulo" de difíceis, rebeldes ou que por alguma rezão rejeitam os seus pretendentes, e é sempre dessa base que se desenrolam os livros, a cada livro apareceu uma nova jovem que tem que ser levada ao altar.
Por brincadeira, digo que esta autora será a "senhora das 3*" no Goodread, porque não sei um dia irei conseguir dar mais que 3*, mas nada como esperar pelo próximo livro e ver se confirmo a teoria.
Quanto à estória do livro... Hum... Hum... O que haverá a dizer, pouco.
Uma jovem que tinha uma aversão ao casamento, um homem que era libertino, houve atitudes nele que me fizeram "assoprar", estória rápida, que de um momento para o outro tudo se "alinha" e há o happy end, como é tão característico em quase todos os livros do género!
Se recomendo o livro e a série? Deixo ao vosso critério!
Boas leituras.
Opinião completa em http://cronicasdeumaleitora.blogspot....
Não dá para mais... Nunca revirei tantos os olhos mas as irmãs são engraçadas. lol
Minha opinião:
"Ora pois"... O livro, a estória... A Perfeição de Fiona é o segundo livro da série The School for Manners, em termos gerais a série desenrola-se à volta de duas irmãs de uma certa idade e com poucos recursos, estas resolvem abrir uma escola na sua casa, onde ensinam jovens em idade casadoira que tem um "rótulo" de difíceis, rebeldes ou que por alguma rezão rejeitam os seus pretendentes, e é sempre dessa base que se desenrolam os livros, a cada livro apareceu uma nova jovem que tem que ser levada ao altar.
Por brincadeira, digo que esta autora será a "senhora das 3*" no Goodread, porque não sei um dia irei conseguir dar mais que 3*, mas nada como esperar pelo próximo livro e ver se confirmo a teoria.
Quanto à estória do livro... Hum... Hum... O que haverá a dizer, pouco.
Uma jovem que tinha uma aversão ao casamento, um homem que era libertino, houve atitudes nele que me fizeram "assoprar", estória rápida, que de um momento para o outro tudo se "alinha" e há o happy end, como é tão característico em quase todos os livros do género!
Se recomendo o livro e a série? Deixo ao vosso critério!
Boas leituras.
Opinião completa em http://cronicasdeumaleitora.blogspot....
March 30, 2016
2.5*
Opinião completa em: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/...
Full review: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/...
Que desilusão. Que pena. O primeiro livro desta série foi tão amoroso e…este ficou aquém.
(...)
Effy, uma das irmãs Tribble, sempre foi um pouco irritante para mim. Amy, que é mais bruta, também o era, mas de uma forma mais mitigada devido ao seu carácter forte e resiliente. Neste livro, as irmãs deixam de nos dar aqueles momentos de descontracção e riso que deram no primeiro, mostrando que não basta actos mais idiotas para fazer o leitor divertir-se.
Se o livro tivesse mais acção entre o casal, se houvesse mais romance, se as irmãs tivessem tido verdadeiramente que lidar com uma rapariga difícil e se o livro mostrasse mesmo o que é que elas ensinam para as raparigas deixarem de ser “raparigas difíceis” para noivas elegíeis, isso sim melhoria a obra.
(...)
Opinião completa em: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/...
Full review: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/...
Que desilusão. Que pena. O primeiro livro desta série foi tão amoroso e…este ficou aquém.
(...)
Effy, uma das irmãs Tribble, sempre foi um pouco irritante para mim. Amy, que é mais bruta, também o era, mas de uma forma mais mitigada devido ao seu carácter forte e resiliente. Neste livro, as irmãs deixam de nos dar aqueles momentos de descontracção e riso que deram no primeiro, mostrando que não basta actos mais idiotas para fazer o leitor divertir-se.
Se o livro tivesse mais acção entre o casal, se houvesse mais romance, se as irmãs tivessem tido verdadeiramente que lidar com uma rapariga difícil e se o livro mostrasse mesmo o que é que elas ensinam para as raparigas deixarem de ser “raparigas difíceis” para noivas elegíeis, isso sim melhoria a obra.
(...)
November 2, 2022
The audience settled back, prepared to be culturally bored and to enjoy it, for everyone knew that culture, like medicine, must be really nasty or it was not culture.
A wit and satire still at the high level. The Tribble sisters and Mr Haddon were simply wonderful.
But, although the romance of Fiona and Lord Peter Havard wasn't bad, it bored me a little. Firstly it was (in today's language): "he/she is hot" and "what I thought? he/she isn't hot", then it was "do we get married or not". In other words, not much substance. Without Effy's and Amy's adventures it would have been perhaps 3 stars.
January 30, 2016
As nossas solteironas da alta sociedade londrina preferidas estão de volta e, mais uma vez, bem próximas da penúria...
Marion Chesney oferece-nos um início estimulante - mesmo que contratar os serviços das excêntricas irmãs Trible seja agora sinónimo de admitir ter em mãos uma jovem "difícil", os tios de Fiona não têm alternativa senão arriscar.
Assim que Fiona e Peter se cruzam pela primeira vez, ela atrevida e descarada, ele na melhor interpretação do seu papel de libertino, sabemos como o livro vai terminar, mas o que nos interessa mesmo é que forma divertida arrajou Chesney para lá chegar.
Com efeito, tomam lugar diversos acontecimentos neste livro mas de forma bem compactada e rápida, não somos maçados com grandes diatribes mas sim brindados com cenas cómicas que nos levam a boas risadas.
Sendo um romance de época, a escritora abrilhantou-o ainda com tópicos interessantes como a repulsa da aristocracia em relação à classe comerciante, o preconceito contra os escoceses, a visão do casamento como um negócio, a futilidade e falsa (e tão exagerada!) sensibilidade da sociedade; tal como as Trible explicam, não convém parecer inteligente em conversa, nem abordar temas interessantes como a política e a religião, mas sim trivialidades enfadonhas.
Desta vez, o casal em destaque não é composto por opostos; Fiona e Peter têm algo em comum: nenhum quer casar... Isto, claro, até serem arrebatados pela paixão e ficar nas mãos das Trible - contratadas para fazer acontecer um casamento - impedir que Fiona se case com este mulherengo fanfarrão.
A Perfeição de Fiona é um livro muito divertido em que, além do instável romance entre Fiona e Peter, assistimos às tristes tentativas de Amy e Effy de encontrar um bocadinho de romance para si também, sendo ao mesmo tempo vilipendiadas pelas intrigas e más intenções de Callaghan, o fuinha interesseiro que conhecemos no livro anterior e que neste se mantém sempre à espreita, com as suas farpelas vistosas.
Chesney tem o dom de distribuir comicidade não só na base da acção mas também nos pequenos pormenores e nas identidades e idiossincrasias dos seus personagens.
Achei imensa graça a este livro - tal como já tinha achado ao anterior - as três estrelas devem-se à sua pouca representação literária, conteúdo básico, etc. - mas a sério: vale bem a pena!
No final do livro encontramos uma conclusão satisfatória para todos os personagens, excepto para aqueles que iremos encontrar no próximo livro.
... e eu mal posso esperar!
Marion Chesney oferece-nos um início estimulante - mesmo que contratar os serviços das excêntricas irmãs Trible seja agora sinónimo de admitir ter em mãos uma jovem "difícil", os tios de Fiona não têm alternativa senão arriscar.
Assim que Fiona e Peter se cruzam pela primeira vez, ela atrevida e descarada, ele na melhor interpretação do seu papel de libertino, sabemos como o livro vai terminar, mas o que nos interessa mesmo é que forma divertida arrajou Chesney para lá chegar.
Com efeito, tomam lugar diversos acontecimentos neste livro mas de forma bem compactada e rápida, não somos maçados com grandes diatribes mas sim brindados com cenas cómicas que nos levam a boas risadas.
Sendo um romance de época, a escritora abrilhantou-o ainda com tópicos interessantes como a repulsa da aristocracia em relação à classe comerciante, o preconceito contra os escoceses, a visão do casamento como um negócio, a futilidade e falsa (e tão exagerada!) sensibilidade da sociedade; tal como as Trible explicam, não convém parecer inteligente em conversa, nem abordar temas interessantes como a política e a religião, mas sim trivialidades enfadonhas.
Desta vez, o casal em destaque não é composto por opostos; Fiona e Peter têm algo em comum: nenhum quer casar... Isto, claro, até serem arrebatados pela paixão e ficar nas mãos das Trible - contratadas para fazer acontecer um casamento - impedir que Fiona se case com este mulherengo fanfarrão.
A Perfeição de Fiona é um livro muito divertido em que, além do instável romance entre Fiona e Peter, assistimos às tristes tentativas de Amy e Effy de encontrar um bocadinho de romance para si também, sendo ao mesmo tempo vilipendiadas pelas intrigas e más intenções de Callaghan, o fuinha interesseiro que conhecemos no livro anterior e que neste se mantém sempre à espreita, com as suas farpelas vistosas.
Chesney tem o dom de distribuir comicidade não só na base da acção mas também nos pequenos pormenores e nas identidades e idiossincrasias dos seus personagens.
Achei imensa graça a este livro - tal como já tinha achado ao anterior - as três estrelas devem-se à sua pouca representação literária, conteúdo básico, etc. - mas a sério: vale bem a pena!
No final do livro encontramos uma conclusão satisfatória para todos os personagens, excepto para aqueles que iremos encontrar no próximo livro.
... e eu mal posso esperar!
May 19, 2015
2.5 stars
I recently discovered I had Perfecting Fiona my ebook archives and since her books tend to be short, I thought I'd give Marion Chesney another try. I was wary as my first Marion book 'Miss Fiona's Fancy' was a stinker (seriously, don't read it).
Perfecting Fiona is thankfully much better and is second in a series featuring the Tribble Sisters' 'School for Manners'. Amy and Effy are well, the most unprofessional professional chaperones in London. In this book, they 'help' the Burgess's get their unwanted niece Fiona hitched, who unfortunately has a nasty habit of making potential suitors cry off.
The most exasperating thing about the book is how immature these 50 year old spinster sisters are, which I'm sure is meant to be played for laughs but gets old real fast. There is also a real lack of nuance in the emotions throughout the book. People are either bored or ANGRY(!!!) for seemingly the tiniest of things. Amy has an awful sailor's mouth for someone who is suppose to be teaching charges etiquette and manners... very odd.
The heroine Fiona and Lord Peter are serviceable but not particularly memorable and the romance, well, it formed a bit slower than instalove... but only just. The climactic conflict at the end was also laughably farcical. As the Tribble Sisters are the real stars of the show, by the end when they're ready to boot this girl out of their home and into the marriage bed, the actual wedding was dealt with in a matter of lines and the motions for the next the series was already taking place.
It feels a bit harsh giving the book 2.5 stars as it wasn't terrible but was it pedestrian and formulaic (I mean pretty much all Regencies of formulaic but some hide the formula with awesomeness better than others). Expect a pleasant afternoon's read but have no recollection of it.
Rating: 2.5 unpopped cherries
Rereadability: I probably won't be. I had to look up Effy's name to write this review as I couldn't remember it. Evey, Essie, Effy...same same.
I recently discovered I had Perfecting Fiona my ebook archives and since her books tend to be short, I thought I'd give Marion Chesney another try. I was wary as my first Marion book 'Miss Fiona's Fancy' was a stinker (seriously, don't read it).
Perfecting Fiona is thankfully much better and is second in a series featuring the Tribble Sisters' 'School for Manners'. Amy and Effy are well, the most unprofessional professional chaperones in London. In this book, they 'help' the Burgess's get their unwanted niece Fiona hitched, who unfortunately has a nasty habit of making potential suitors cry off.
The most exasperating thing about the book is how immature these 50 year old spinster sisters are, which I'm sure is meant to be played for laughs but gets old real fast. There is also a real lack of nuance in the emotions throughout the book. People are either bored or ANGRY(!!!) for seemingly the tiniest of things. Amy has an awful sailor's mouth for someone who is suppose to be teaching charges etiquette and manners... very odd.
The heroine Fiona and Lord Peter are serviceable but not particularly memorable and the romance, well, it formed a bit slower than instalove... but only just. The climactic conflict at the end was also laughably farcical. As the Tribble Sisters are the real stars of the show, by the end when they're ready to boot this girl out of their home and into the marriage bed, the actual wedding was dealt with in a matter of lines and the motions for the next the series was already taking place.
It feels a bit harsh giving the book 2.5 stars as it wasn't terrible but was it pedestrian and formulaic (I mean pretty much all Regencies of formulaic but some hide the formula with awesomeness better than others). Expect a pleasant afternoon's read but have no recollection of it.
Rating: 2.5 unpopped cherries
Rereadability: I probably won't be. I had to look up Effy's name to write this review as I couldn't remember it. Evey, Essie, Effy...same same.
January 8, 2015
Always a treasure reading Marion Chesney aka M C Beaton.
I started reading this author in the early 1970's and am still reading her books.
Great writing & excellent plots.
Sometimes feels a bit dated (no sex), but these books are many years old.
I started reading this author in the early 1970's and am still reading her books.
Great writing & excellent plots.
Sometimes feels a bit dated (no sex), but these books are many years old.
February 5, 2016
Esperava muito mais...
November 18, 2018
If you like light, silly regency fictional books, then you might like this one. This small book of 190 pages is the second in 'The School of Manners' series. The Tribble sisters, Amy and Effy, start an agency as chaperones to get difficult girls get married. In this book, an heiress, Fiona Mcleod, comes to them as their charge. Fiona has been warding off marriage for reasons unknown to her uncle and aunt, the Burgesses. Every man who comes to propose to her hand in amrriage is seen fleeing from the house, never to be heard of again. Fiona has been admonished by her aunt and whipped by her uncle. But she still continues to make men flee. She is brought to the Tribble sisters and here begins the real challenge. The 'job' of getting Fiona married to the right person is not easy as they thought it would be.
The book is light and fluffy with small doses of feminism from Fiona. All the characters in the book are wonderful especially the Tribble sisters who are like chalk and cheese. I really enjoyed the whole book. Looking forward to reading more from this series. if ever you are planning to read this series, do read it in order. In short, start with "Refining Felicity", the first book.
The book is light and fluffy with small doses of feminism from Fiona. All the characters in the book are wonderful especially the Tribble sisters who are like chalk and cheese. I really enjoyed the whole book. Looking forward to reading more from this series. if ever you are planning to read this series, do read it in order. In short, start with "Refining Felicity", the first book.
April 23, 2019
At first meeting, delicate Fiona Macleod doesn't seem to need the services of Amy and Effy Tribble, chaperones to difficult misses. Fiona is soft-spoken and accomplished, but somehow, her suitors all leave without proposing marriage. Can the sisters figure out how Fiona manages to repulse all suitable gentlemen -- and why?
I liked this second entry in the series much better than the first, though it still had its weaknesses. They kept saying that Lord Peter was a rake, but I never saw much evidence of it in his actions. I did love the soft Scottish burr that the narrator used for Fiona's voice. I will probably continue listening to the series, as it's pleasant and doesn't require too much focus.
I liked this second entry in the series much better than the first, though it still had its weaknesses. They kept saying that Lord Peter was a rake, but I never saw much evidence of it in his actions. I did love the soft Scottish burr that the narrator used for Fiona's voice. I will probably continue listening to the series, as it's pleasant and doesn't require too much focus.
May 7, 2016
This is the second book of the series. I loved the first one and I still loved this one. I don't think that it is one of the best books in the would, but if you are looking for a light historical romance, this is perfect. The Tribble sisters are funny and it is an enjoyable read. This deserves five stars for me because it really is one of my favorite series to relax from heavier books.
April 21, 2020
3.5 stars. By the end, I feel like the sort of OTT ridiculousness I love about this author has finally ramped up, and there were multiple laugh-out-loud moments (most notably when Amy showed up in men's clothing to arrest the duelers, confident she would not be recognized). Took a bit, but I feel like the series is fully warmed up and I'm looking forward to the next ones!
May 20, 2023
Just as adorable as the first book. Fiona is a calmer girl. The hijinks are tamer, but it’s another fun read. I do love M.C. Beaton.
September 10, 2021
I don’t know what it is about M. C. Beaton’s writing that draws me in so much. All of her books are extremely action-driven, which might be good, because the moment you start thinking about them, you might gasp at the silliness 🤭
Anyhow: PERFECTING FIONA. The second book of The School for Manners series takes off just after the first story has ended: the eccentric Tribble Twins commence their chaperoning business with a new lady to marry off: Fiona, a rich heiress who’s terribly opposed to marriage. While the Tribbles try to find out more about Fiona, the usual mayhem ensues ... and another entertaining season in London begins.
I liked the second book a little less than the previous one, but that’s probably because I love the enemy-to-lovers trope so much and it wasn’t employed here.
Anyhow: PERFECTING FIONA. The second book of The School for Manners series takes off just after the first story has ended: the eccentric Tribble Twins commence their chaperoning business with a new lady to marry off: Fiona, a rich heiress who’s terribly opposed to marriage. While the Tribbles try to find out more about Fiona, the usual mayhem ensues ... and another entertaining season in London begins.
I liked the second book a little less than the previous one, but that’s probably because I love the enemy-to-lovers trope so much and it wasn’t employed here.
January 29, 2016
I was very disappointed- I listed to the audio book and I hated everything about this book. I somehow skipped ahead and never bothered to go back and listen to the time I missed. I didn't need to, the story was just as bad and I knew what what going on despite missing a few hours.
The narrator sounded like she had lockjaw, and that just made the whole experience even worse.
The narrator sounded like she had lockjaw, and that just made the whole experience even worse.
October 26, 2022
I’m continuing my fluff School for Manners series. This one was not as good as Refining Felicity. While relistening to this one, I noticed a little more repetition in the story line than I remembered. Considering my brain can’t handle much these days with the wedding in less than two weeks I think I can forgive the similarities😀 I still love Amy Tribble! And I still don’t love the reader.
August 17, 2017
Since it's a small book I got to read it all in a day but those sisters to be of society do not act very well especially in public I'm afraid there friend Mr Harrod is going to end up with neither of them since he leave the country a lot and that other nasty character should be written off
February 4, 2016
Estava a espera de algo bem melhor, faltou romance e mais "fogo", tudo muito morno! Gostei de rever as irmãs Tribble só!
June 14, 2017
A charming, funny, and quick read.
February 15, 2018
Fun. Wonderful series.
September 22, 2017
Mais um livro divertido :)
desejosa que saia o 3°
desejosa que saia o 3°
June 27, 2024
3.5 stars
Perfecting Fiona was an amusing read!
There were a few draggy bits and a touch of anachronistic speech, which made me wonder if M.C. Beaton fancied herself a Regency-esque writer of, say, Dorothy L. Sayers' caliber?
Other reviewers disliked the romance portions, preferring the interactions of the Tribble sisters. I found them to be annoying! Anne Flosnik's vocal choices (in the audiobook) for Amy and Effy made them doubly annoying.
This was snack reading. It is unlikely that I will read anything else in the School for Manners series.
Perfecting Fiona was an amusing read!
There were a few draggy bits and a touch of anachronistic speech, which made me wonder if M.C. Beaton fancied herself a Regency-esque writer of, say, Dorothy L. Sayers' caliber?
Other reviewers disliked the romance portions, preferring the interactions of the Tribble sisters. I found them to be annoying! Anne Flosnik's vocal choices (in the audiobook) for Amy and Effy made them doubly annoying.
This was snack reading. It is unlikely that I will read anything else in the School for Manners series.
August 5, 2019
This was a different regency book. Fiona was sent to London to two sisters The Tribbles who never had enough cash, so they took in wealthy girls to be their chaperones and to help reform them.
Fiona lived with her aunt and uncle after the death of her parents. She was only 14 when she came to them. They had raised her fairly well but were not too kind to her. Living with the Tribbles was a treat to Fiona. They were not always happy with her actions and in the end actually worried that she might tarnish their name. Pretty fun book!
Fiona lived with her aunt and uncle after the death of her parents. She was only 14 when she came to them. They had raised her fairly well but were not too kind to her. Living with the Tribbles was a treat to Fiona. They were not always happy with her actions and in the end actually worried that she might tarnish their name. Pretty fun book!
March 13, 2020
Bennet Sisters Scale: Lydia 🌹🌹🌹 - Frivolous but delightful, this series is filled with women who are improper and incorrigible but they will all make you smile.
Tropes: #Finishing School, #Nobility/Trade, #Ingenue & Rake.
Perfecting Fiona, School for Manners, Book 2 by M. C. Beaton is the second book in a lively series of stories about recalcitrant Regency women and the gentlemen who find them irresistible.
Audible summary: "Fiona has been sent to [the Tribbles] by her guardians as a last resort, for at 19, the beautiful and wealthy Scottish heiress still has no prospect of a suitable marriage. The Tribbles are puzzled, however, by their charge's demure perfection, until they take her to her first ball - and discover she is an incorrigible flirt! And when quizzed by the Tribbles, Fiona betrays her real feelings... so the sisters are forced to confront the truth about her past!
©2012 M. C. Beaton (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK."
Unlike the Tribble's previous charge, Felicity, Fiona Macleod initially appears to be everything a good society Miss should be. Demure, accomplished, and obscenely wealthy, Fiona should have been married ten times over by now. Yet something keeps scaring her suitors away, with her aunt and uncle never receiving any offers for her hand.
As Fiona gets to know the Tribbles and learns to trust them, she reveals her past dalliances and we learn the myriad ways she has dissuaded men from forming a serious tendre for her. Discovering why Fiona is so opposed to marriage becomes the chief pastime of notorious rake, Lord Peter Havard. Determined to reform and settle, he is certain that he would never wish to do so with Fiona... Right up until she becomes all he can think about.
This one felt a little rushed at times, with Peter's conversion from rake to eligible bachelor feeling rather too swift to be believable. Fiona doesn't have Felicity's bombastic personality, but she has a gentility and kindness that make her endearing. This second story in the series is slower and quieter than the first, but it's still good fun.
Perfecting Fiona is available to pre-order on Audible, releasing on 23rd April 2020, and on CD from The Reading House, now.
You can read the full review on my blog.
If you liked this review then please join me for more!
| Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |
Tropes: #Finishing School, #Nobility/Trade, #Ingenue & Rake.
Perfecting Fiona, School for Manners, Book 2 by M. C. Beaton is the second book in a lively series of stories about recalcitrant Regency women and the gentlemen who find them irresistible.
Audible summary: "Fiona has been sent to [the Tribbles] by her guardians as a last resort, for at 19, the beautiful and wealthy Scottish heiress still has no prospect of a suitable marriage. The Tribbles are puzzled, however, by their charge's demure perfection, until they take her to her first ball - and discover she is an incorrigible flirt! And when quizzed by the Tribbles, Fiona betrays her real feelings... so the sisters are forced to confront the truth about her past!
©2012 M. C. Beaton (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK."
Unlike the Tribble's previous charge, Felicity, Fiona Macleod initially appears to be everything a good society Miss should be. Demure, accomplished, and obscenely wealthy, Fiona should have been married ten times over by now. Yet something keeps scaring her suitors away, with her aunt and uncle never receiving any offers for her hand.
As Fiona gets to know the Tribbles and learns to trust them, she reveals her past dalliances and we learn the myriad ways she has dissuaded men from forming a serious tendre for her. Discovering why Fiona is so opposed to marriage becomes the chief pastime of notorious rake, Lord Peter Havard. Determined to reform and settle, he is certain that he would never wish to do so with Fiona... Right up until she becomes all he can think about.
This one felt a little rushed at times, with Peter's conversion from rake to eligible bachelor feeling rather too swift to be believable. Fiona doesn't have Felicity's bombastic personality, but she has a gentility and kindness that make her endearing. This second story in the series is slower and quieter than the first, but it's still good fun.
Perfecting Fiona is available to pre-order on Audible, releasing on 23rd April 2020, and on CD from The Reading House, now.
You can read the full review on my blog.
If you liked this review then please join me for more!
| Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |
February 18, 2014
"Every spinster of fifty, however sensible, has the soul of a seventeen-year-old virgin" p 80. "Perhaps sometimes, to our children, we shall seem a most unsuited couple, but marriage is like life -- exhilarating, dreadful, and often unfair .. But we shall know through thick and thin that we love each other, and that is all that matters" p 145.
From bon ton fine London society, Effy aged into dainty fluffy "delicacy" and twin Amy "middle-aged .. tall flat figure and enormous hands and feet and the face of a trusting horse" p 2 for sister's sake refused "two respectable proposals" p 4, offer to bring out difficult girls.
Mr and Mrs Burgess of Tunbridge Wells bring niece Fiona McLeod 19 unwed "despite several advantageous offers" p 2 and beatings by Mr B. "She danced like an angel, painted highly competent water-colours, and spoke Italian fluently. She had perfect manners and graceful bearing .. very quiet and shy and withdrawn, there seemed to be no fault" p 19, look of "waif .. small pale face and large large eyes that appeared colorless" p 15 seem violet like dress or "blue" p 88, remembers parental arguments, prefers to wait two years rather than marry for control of fortune.
Her creative lies to prevent proposals and biting insults intrigue Lord Peter Havard 33 p 58 "intense blue eyes and midnight black hair and powerful, athletic body" p 82. He shares her decision against marriage -- until they kiss "cannons firing, fireworks going off, noise and tumult and gladness. The war is over and I am come home" p 91.
"The villain was Mr Desmond Callaghan .. Fribble .. assiduously cultivated the sisters' aunt, Mrs Cutworth [for] .. everything .. nothing but debts" p 21. He gets Tribbles's second footman Frank drunk, in trouble, out of work, but does heed suggestion "try your hand with Miss Effy" p 73. When nabob Haddon challenges Callaghan to a duel, Amy dons peeler red coat, itchy grey "false side-whiskers" and "stuffed a pillow .. portly appearance .. for the masquerade" p 123.
From bon ton fine London society, Effy aged into dainty fluffy "delicacy" and twin Amy "middle-aged .. tall flat figure and enormous hands and feet and the face of a trusting horse" p 2 for sister's sake refused "two respectable proposals" p 4, offer to bring out difficult girls.
Mr and Mrs Burgess of Tunbridge Wells bring niece Fiona McLeod 19 unwed "despite several advantageous offers" p 2 and beatings by Mr B. "She danced like an angel, painted highly competent water-colours, and spoke Italian fluently. She had perfect manners and graceful bearing .. very quiet and shy and withdrawn, there seemed to be no fault" p 19, look of "waif .. small pale face and large large eyes that appeared colorless" p 15 seem violet like dress or "blue" p 88, remembers parental arguments, prefers to wait two years rather than marry for control of fortune.
Her creative lies to prevent proposals and biting insults intrigue Lord Peter Havard 33 p 58 "intense blue eyes and midnight black hair and powerful, athletic body" p 82. He shares her decision against marriage -- until they kiss "cannons firing, fireworks going off, noise and tumult and gladness. The war is over and I am come home" p 91.
"The villain was Mr Desmond Callaghan .. Fribble .. assiduously cultivated the sisters' aunt, Mrs Cutworth [for] .. everything .. nothing but debts" p 21. He gets Tribbles's second footman Frank drunk, in trouble, out of work, but does heed suggestion "try your hand with Miss Effy" p 73. When nabob Haddon challenges Callaghan to a duel, Amy dons peeler red coat, itchy grey "false side-whiskers" and "stuffed a pillow .. portly appearance .. for the masquerade" p 123.
January 19, 2015
Right after I call formula, something really odd changes. In this book, the Tribbles are either useless and uninformed, or harpooning everyone's desired success. It is hilarious.
This time, they are charged with finding a husband for an heiress named Fiona who is already perfect in every way. They are told by her guardians (who beat her) that she has scared away a number of suitors, and it just can't go on anymore. They're in charge of her money until she marries or reaches her majority, and fear that people will think they're trying to keep their hands on the purse strings.
They are truly loathsome people, but this is the one thing about them with which I could sympathise. They didn't want her money. On the other hand, they also just wanted to get shot of her, so I guess that cancels that out.
Because Fiona is so accomplished as a traditional accomplished woman of the time must be, the Tribbles get complacent. A good match comes along, and they just usher him in to propose without a chaperone. Fiona tells him that her father was in trade--which was damning--and when that wasn't enough, she told him she wasn't a virgin. This is not true, and causes trouble later.
She also rocks the boat by socialising with Lord Peter Havard, a reputed rake whom her guardians explicitly crossed off the list. The Tribbles utterly fail to move her on to someone else, so they're relieved when it all works out.
It was kind of weird, though. Before, it was Tribbles (and just about everyone) versus Felicity, who was very clearly in the wrong most of the time. Reader sympathy was with the Tribbles, although Felicity engendered at least enough for readers to want her to marry the man she loved and be happy.
In this book, it's Fiona who had all of my sympathy. The Tribbles were caught up with their own incredibly selfish concerns, more than before, and they failed Fiona at least once, possibly more than that. So when they tried to keep Fiona and Havard apart, it didn't feel right. I liked the Tribbles, so them neglecting her wasn't so bad, but when they came in direct conflict, I felt like I was cheering for the wrong team, but had zero inclination to change my flag.
I don't know. Still, that uncertainty made me enjoy it more, because I thought deeper about what I was reading.
This time, they are charged with finding a husband for an heiress named Fiona who is already perfect in every way. They are told by her guardians (who beat her) that she has scared away a number of suitors, and it just can't go on anymore. They're in charge of her money until she marries or reaches her majority, and fear that people will think they're trying to keep their hands on the purse strings.
They are truly loathsome people, but this is the one thing about them with which I could sympathise. They didn't want her money. On the other hand, they also just wanted to get shot of her, so I guess that cancels that out.
Because Fiona is so accomplished as a traditional accomplished woman of the time must be, the Tribbles get complacent. A good match comes along, and they just usher him in to propose without a chaperone. Fiona tells him that her father was in trade--which was damning--and when that wasn't enough, she told him she wasn't a virgin. This is not true, and causes trouble later.
She also rocks the boat by socialising with Lord Peter Havard, a reputed rake whom her guardians explicitly crossed off the list. The Tribbles utterly fail to move her on to someone else, so they're relieved when it all works out.
It was kind of weird, though. Before, it was Tribbles (and just about everyone) versus Felicity, who was very clearly in the wrong most of the time. Reader sympathy was with the Tribbles, although Felicity engendered at least enough for readers to want her to marry the man she loved and be happy.
In this book, it's Fiona who had all of my sympathy. The Tribbles were caught up with their own incredibly selfish concerns, more than before, and they failed Fiona at least once, possibly more than that. So when they tried to keep Fiona and Havard apart, it didn't feel right. I liked the Tribbles, so them neglecting her wasn't so bad, but when they came in direct conflict, I felt like I was cheering for the wrong team, but had zero inclination to change my flag.
I don't know. Still, that uncertainty made me enjoy it more, because I thought deeper about what I was reading.
March 30, 2016
Bravo to the author, for writing a delightful sequel (something I usually don't find). To this point the spinsters sisters are dear to me. Original Amy, with her impulsiveness (her foul language!) and Pretty Effy with her coquettish manners (at her 50's!). This book may be more focused on them, which I liked very much. One faux pas after another: Amy singing and dressing as a man; Effy thinking herself in love with the young Mr Callghan (and both being still rivals in love for Mr Haddon). Effy's tears may be the only tears among many that I enjoy reading. And there certainly are many tears in this book, and they were all so ridiculous funny. All weeping all at one; a chorus of tears! Ridiculous funny, truly.
As for the "difficult heiress" she really wasn't. Fiona's situation was an understandable one, not wanting to get married, and then, once she tells why she is afraid of marriage, was even comprehensible. Her methods to avoid the marriage proposal were very witty. I liked her story with Lord Peter, because their love-hate attraction was entertaining to read. Although I wonder if this rake would reform? There are rakes and rakes, and in some books you can see when they reform, but I think in this one I would love to read more; as in, more pages. It is certainly too short, but well, sometimes short is better than dragging.
Recommended for people who likes original Regency romances (even "the villain" is charming.. somewhat).
As for the "difficult heiress" she really wasn't. Fiona's situation was an understandable one, not wanting to get married, and then, once she tells why she is afraid of marriage, was even comprehensible. Her methods to avoid the marriage proposal were very witty. I liked her story with Lord Peter, because their love-hate attraction was entertaining to read. Although I wonder if this rake would reform? There are rakes and rakes, and in some books you can see when they reform, but I think in this one I would love to read more; as in, more pages. It is certainly too short, but well, sometimes short is better than dragging.
Recommended for people who likes original Regency romances (even "the villain" is charming.. somewhat).
February 7, 2014
The Tribbles are back with a new charge, Miss Fiona Macleod a Scottish heiress sent by her aunt and uncle to the Tribbles because she's sent every suitor running. The Tribbles find Fiona charming as does Lord Peter Havard, a notorious rake. The Tribbles try to push Fiona into marriage but not with Lord Peter, who is entirely unsuitable. Fiona has her own ideas about marriage and plots to keep the gentlemen away. Meanwhile, Effy and Amy Tribble hold out hope of romance of their own and the dastardly Mr. Callahagn who inherited their aunt's money, has plans of his own. This second volume in the series wasn't as funny or charming as the first. The romance happens too quickly and is too improbable. I enjoyed Effy and Amy's exploits much better than Fiona's and laughed out loud at some of them.
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