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Bluestocking Bride
Miss Catherine Harland, a highly educated country girl, finds the Marquis of Rutherston's ideas about women revolting, despite her attraction to him, and vows to teach him a valuable lesson in love. Original.
238 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
73 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Thornton
61 books155 followersMary Forrest George, née Baxter was born and educated in Aberdeen, Scotland, where she taught school for a number of years before establishing her own nursery school, St. Swithin Street Nursery School, an institution that is still going strong today.
She and her husband then emigrated to Canada with their three young sons. She taught kindergarten and Grade One for a number of years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before becoming lay minister at a Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg.
As part of her continuing education, she enrolled in evening classes at the University of Winnipeg to study Classical Greek. Five years later, having completed an Honor's thesis on Women in Euripides, she received her B.A. (Classics Gold Medalist).
After reading her first romance, a Regency by Georgette Heyer, she was captivated by the genre. Hereafter, writing became her hobby. In 1987, her first book, a small Regency entitled, Bluestocking Bride, was published by Zebra books.
She is the author of twenty-four historical romances, and two novellas. She has been nominated for and received many awards including the Romantic Times Trophy Award for the best New Historical Regency Author and Best Historical Regency. Seven of her novels have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America Rita awards, Scarlet Angel, Strangers at Dawn, Princess Charming and The Perfect Princess, Shady Lady, The Marriage Trap, and The Bachelor Trap. Her books appear regularly on national best-selling lists and have been translated into many languages.
Elizabeth's hobbies include reading (particularly mystery and suspense novels, biography, and history), and traveling to do research for her novels. She is also an avid Harry Potter enthusiast.
She and her husband then emigrated to Canada with their three young sons. She taught kindergarten and Grade One for a number of years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before becoming lay minister at a Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg.
As part of her continuing education, she enrolled in evening classes at the University of Winnipeg to study Classical Greek. Five years later, having completed an Honor's thesis on Women in Euripides, she received her B.A. (Classics Gold Medalist).
After reading her first romance, a Regency by Georgette Heyer, she was captivated by the genre. Hereafter, writing became her hobby. In 1987, her first book, a small Regency entitled, Bluestocking Bride, was published by Zebra books.
She is the author of twenty-four historical romances, and two novellas. She has been nominated for and received many awards including the Romantic Times Trophy Award for the best New Historical Regency Author and Best Historical Regency. Seven of her novels have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America Rita awards, Scarlet Angel, Strangers at Dawn, Princess Charming and The Perfect Princess, Shady Lady, The Marriage Trap, and The Bachelor Trap. Her books appear regularly on national best-selling lists and have been translated into many languages.
Elizabeth's hobbies include reading (particularly mystery and suspense novels, biography, and history), and traveling to do research for her novels. She is also an avid Harry Potter enthusiast.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 23, 2022
I've always been partial to Ms. Thornton books. No one writes quite like her. I think she's unique in that sense.
This was very good for a debut novel. This sort of story has been done to death before (bored marquis met a contrified bluestocking chit, fell hard for her, pursued her in London and marry her but they had to undergo a couple of misunderstandings before they get their requisite HEA) but her writing elevates the story. This one doesn't contain a mystery which usually characterizes her books. You've got to be comfortable with an alpha a*****e as the hero (they usually treat the heroine with disdain and can get physically violent when strong feelings are aroused) to enjoy this book.
I think that the story is stronger before the MCs marry (which is around 60% of the book) but got a bit weaker after they marry. The heroine started out as a strong character, but was plagued with self-doubts (understandable as a new bride) so this affects the story. There's a secondary romance involving the hero's cousin and the heroine's sister.
I thought I wouldn't enjoy this as much because of the reviews, but I was proven wrong. I think this was a pleasure to read. If you're a bodice-ripper fan, I think you're going to enjoy this one. If you're not, don't bother because you're not going to care for this sort of hero.
This was very good for a debut novel. This sort of story has been done to death before (bored marquis met a contrified bluestocking chit, fell hard for her, pursued her in London and marry her but they had to undergo a couple of misunderstandings before they get their requisite HEA) but her writing elevates the story. This one doesn't contain a mystery which usually characterizes her books. You've got to be comfortable with an alpha a*****e as the hero (they usually treat the heroine with disdain and can get physically violent when strong feelings are aroused) to enjoy this book.
I think that the story is stronger before the MCs marry (which is around 60% of the book) but got a bit weaker after they marry. The heroine started out as a strong character, but was plagued with self-doubts (understandable as a new bride) so this affects the story. There's a secondary romance involving the hero's cousin and the heroine's sister.
I thought I wouldn't enjoy this as much because of the reviews, but I was proven wrong. I think this was a pleasure to read. If you're a bodice-ripper fan, I think you're going to enjoy this one. If you're not, don't bother because you're not going to care for this sort of hero.
February 8, 2025
Read: 2/5/25
3 stars!
This would have been a great novella, but as a novel, it's okay. The beginning of the story was fun and romantic. I loved the banter between the MC. I rooted for them and felt thrir connection. Then, at 129 pages, they get married, and the book goes downhill. That leaves 60% of the book with nothing going on. The author has to create ridiculous misunderstandings to move the plot along. None of these things should have been problems. What a waste of such an entertaining beginning! Too bad!
Still, it's ET so it's still an okay read
3 stars!
This would have been a great novella, but as a novel, it's okay. The beginning of the story was fun and romantic. I loved the banter between the MC. I rooted for them and felt thrir connection. Then, at 129 pages, they get married, and the book goes downhill. That leaves 60% of the book with nothing going on. The author has to create ridiculous misunderstandings to move the plot along. None of these things should have been problems. What a waste of such an entertaining beginning! Too bad!
Still, it's ET so it's still an okay read
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April 12, 2022
Thornton's debut, and by far the weakest novel of hers I've read to date.
You see some of the ingredients she'll eventually excel with - the besotted but domineering hero, an outspoken heroine, dollops of OW drama. But here, they're still rough around the edges. The hero is flat, the heroine comes across as arch in an irritating way, and the OW drama is a souffle - big drama, not much substance.
You see some of the ingredients she'll eventually excel with - the besotted but domineering hero, an outspoken heroine, dollops of OW drama. But here, they're still rough around the edges. The hero is flat, the heroine comes across as arch in an irritating way, and the OW drama is a souffle - big drama, not much substance.
December 1, 2007
There was a surprisingly sedentary plot (nobody dies or narrowly escapes death) which actually makes it even *more* romantic because...aren't we all very familiar with the mundane? The back cover states that this is a "witty, passionate story of a woman's seduction, and a gentleman's surrender," which readers of this genre know NEVER happens. That being said, she is relatively forward and arguably an unwitting seducer, which is close. They have lots of fun banter and the supporting cast is superb.
There is a short story attached to the end (a rather long one, for the record) that is less good but still a nice read. My main complaint with that was that the author did not reveal the complexities of her plot in a very convincing manner, leaving the reader more confused than touched--although I was inextricably weepy for *both* of her stories. That I'm just going to chalk up to feminine hysterics. ;)
There is a short story attached to the end (a rather long one, for the record) that is less good but still a nice read. My main complaint with that was that the author did not reveal the complexities of her plot in a very convincing manner, leaving the reader more confused than touched--although I was inextricably weepy for *both* of her stories. That I'm just going to chalk up to feminine hysterics. ;)
May 28, 2018
I admit I chose this one for its title. It was okay, but there were some worrisome parts where Rutherston is very rough with Catherine. He kisses her against her will when they first meet, which she blames herself for in some misguided, bullshitty way. Later he also tries to bed her when she expressly tells him she won't. He takes it at his "husbandly right." This is one of those romance novels with negligible plot and an overblown drama, nevermind the problematic scenes.
November 9, 2013
Bluestocking Bride by Elizabeth Thornton -- Regency Romance
Richard Fotherville, Marquis of Rutherston is now 30 years of age and promised his mother he would give up his wild ways and settle down. First, though, he must tend to his new estate, Branley Park,inherited from an uncle. There he encounters Catherine Harland in his library, absorbed in a book and mistaking her for a servant insults her and orders her off. Catherine plays dumb and mocks Rutherston which results in his bestowing an extremely passionate kiss upon Catherine. Before the kiss progresses into anything more, they are interrupted by Rutherston's cousin and Catherine's old friend Charles Norton. Charles reveals Catherine's true identity as the intelligent niece of their old Oxford don who resides on a neighboring estate. Rutherston is shocked by Catherine's further hoydenish and bluestocking behavior. He believes the Greek heroine Andromanche is the ideal woman because she is meek and passive. His future bride must submit to him in all things. Of course he can not ignore his physical attraction to Catherine and follows her to London where she is enjoying her first Season. Catherine is convinced Rutherston doesn't meet her ideal but she also can not hide her physical attraction to him, so she marries him! Then the plot turns to the obvious misunderstandings of young married couples of that time. Meanwhile, Catherine's sister and Rutherston's cousin have fallen in love and without the money to support a her, Charles's hopes seem lost. Finally, the book reaches it's predictable conclusion with a number of cliched plot points and graphic love scenes. Needless to say, I could not stand this novel. Catherine seemed like a promising heroine at first but she gave in too easily and allowed self-doubts to nearly ruin her marriage. Richard was a selfish pig and I hated him. There were way too many plots in this book and none of them played out realistically or uniquely. Catherine and Richard spend much of their early weeks of marriage in bed and there is little description of anything else. Skip this novel if you like well-written, plot-driven, realistic stories.
Richard Fotherville, Marquis of Rutherston is now 30 years of age and promised his mother he would give up his wild ways and settle down. First, though, he must tend to his new estate, Branley Park,inherited from an uncle. There he encounters Catherine Harland in his library, absorbed in a book and mistaking her for a servant insults her and orders her off. Catherine plays dumb and mocks Rutherston which results in his bestowing an extremely passionate kiss upon Catherine. Before the kiss progresses into anything more, they are interrupted by Rutherston's cousin and Catherine's old friend Charles Norton. Charles reveals Catherine's true identity as the intelligent niece of their old Oxford don who resides on a neighboring estate. Rutherston is shocked by Catherine's further hoydenish and bluestocking behavior. He believes the Greek heroine Andromanche is the ideal woman because she is meek and passive. His future bride must submit to him in all things. Of course he can not ignore his physical attraction to Catherine and follows her to London where she is enjoying her first Season. Catherine is convinced Rutherston doesn't meet her ideal but she also can not hide her physical attraction to him, so she marries him! Then the plot turns to the obvious misunderstandings of young married couples of that time. Meanwhile, Catherine's sister and Rutherston's cousin have fallen in love and without the money to support a her, Charles's hopes seem lost. Finally, the book reaches it's predictable conclusion with a number of cliched plot points and graphic love scenes. Needless to say, I could not stand this novel. Catherine seemed like a promising heroine at first but she gave in too easily and allowed self-doubts to nearly ruin her marriage. Richard was a selfish pig and I hated him. There were way too many plots in this book and none of them played out realistically or uniquely. Catherine and Richard spend much of their early weeks of marriage in bed and there is little description of anything else. Skip this novel if you like well-written, plot-driven, realistic stories.
May 19, 2012
Enjoyable traditional-style Regency. No villains or evil plots - just a character-driven love story in a believable upper-class Regency English setting. (Elizabeth Thornton's books always have a genuine English feeling to them.) Quite well-written for a first novel, and fun - I had to look up all the ancient Greek literary references to see what the heroine was reading and talking about.
The novel "Bluestocking Bride" is just 230 pages - the rest of the volume is a novella "Sheer Sorcery", which is OK, but nothing special.
The novel "Bluestocking Bride" is just 230 pages - the rest of the volume is a novella "Sheer Sorcery", which is OK, but nothing special.
November 14, 2024
I didn't like either hero or heroine much, they are a pair of arrogant idiots, especially Catherine, for all her highly-vaunted "education" - an understanding of Greek literature does not an education make & would certainly have been frowned upon at the time. Making free of someone else's house is also guaranteed to land a silly country miss in the briars - what were her parents thinking? Silly & lighthearted.
Miss Catherine Harland, a sheltered country girl, possessed a passion for Greek letters. Hippolytus, she felt, was the epitome of male virtue - high-minded, lofty in his ideals, and completely opposite of the rude and infuriating Marquis of Rutherston, her family's new neighbour. It seemed to amuse that notorious womaniser to bait her with his own surprisingly excellent command of Greek literature. Well, Catherine may have been a green girl, but she could give as good as she got - as the Marquis would soon discover...
In Rutherston's view, women should be sweet, docile and biddable. He rather felt that Andromache - that paragon of passivity - was the heroine every lady of breeding should pattern herself after. The lovely Miss Harland, on the other hand, had the gall to consider herself the equal of any man. She would soon learn, if Rutherston had his way, that a woman's place is in a man's bed. And where women were concerned, Rutherston always got his way...
Miss Catherine Harland, a sheltered country girl, possessed a passion for Greek letters. Hippolytus, she felt, was the epitome of male virtue - high-minded, lofty in his ideals, and completely opposite of the rude and infuriating Marquis of Rutherston, her family's new neighbour. It seemed to amuse that notorious womaniser to bait her with his own surprisingly excellent command of Greek literature. Well, Catherine may have been a green girl, but she could give as good as she got - as the Marquis would soon discover...
In Rutherston's view, women should be sweet, docile and biddable. He rather felt that Andromache - that paragon of passivity - was the heroine every lady of breeding should pattern herself after. The lovely Miss Harland, on the other hand, had the gall to consider herself the equal of any man. She would soon learn, if Rutherston had his way, that a woman's place is in a man's bed. And where women were concerned, Rutherston always got his way...
April 30, 2022
3 stars
Plot and storytelling was good (if not unique) but some of the hero's antics didnt go down well with me.
Why do you HAVE TO make a public appearance with your ex-mistresses to give her her parting gift? 🤣 he was literally caught with both of them by the heroine with no explanation provided by him whatsoever.
How stupid do you think your wife is when you lie to her about your whereabouts and are seen with a woman of questionable background and then pretend like you did nothing wrong?
Also, rake heroes are so not my thing. The number of mistresses he has is not a point in his favour. I dont care how beautiful and sophisticated said mistresses are.
And for a man as aggressive and dominating as the Marquess, I am puzzled why at every moment he was eager to give Catherine a "short repreive" hoping that would change things (spoiler: it never did - just led to more misunderstandings). And phew, the anger off this guy! Talk about spoilt entitlement.
Not gunna lie, I dont think Id have taken his lordship back after all of the above. Heroine had a much more forgiving nature ;)
Plot and storytelling was good (if not unique) but some of the hero's antics didnt go down well with me.
Why do you HAVE TO make a public appearance with your ex-mistresses to give her her parting gift? 🤣 he was literally caught with both of them by the heroine with no explanation provided by him whatsoever.
How stupid do you think your wife is when you lie to her about your whereabouts and are seen with a woman of questionable background and then pretend like you did nothing wrong?
Also, rake heroes are so not my thing. The number of mistresses he has is not a point in his favour. I dont care how beautiful and sophisticated said mistresses are.
And for a man as aggressive and dominating as the Marquess, I am puzzled why at every moment he was eager to give Catherine a "short repreive" hoping that would change things (spoiler: it never did - just led to more misunderstandings). And phew, the anger off this guy! Talk about spoilt entitlement.
Not gunna lie, I dont think Id have taken his lordship back after all of the above. Heroine had a much more forgiving nature ;)
March 26, 2018
A volte mi chiedo se ogni tanto queste acclamate bestselling writer non mettano insieme i loro 'plot' in collaborazione con amiche del cuore, anziane zie, figlie adolescenti, collaboratrici familiari o chiunque altro si trovi a passare un po' di tempo per una ragione o per l'altra a casa loro. Sì, perché questa è l'impressione che ho provato leggendo questo romanzo della Thornton, un'autrice di cui avevo apprezzato le varie storie tessute tra l'Inghilterra e la Francia rivoluzionaria, come nella saga dei Devereux.
In questo caso, i protagonisti – che sembrano all'inizio abbastanza promettenti - cambiano pian piano carattere, mentre pagine e pagine son dedicate a descrizioni insulse e la trama si fa incoerente, finché alla conclusione al lettore non resta altro che un senso di irritata frustrazione.
In questo caso, i protagonisti – che sembrano all'inizio abbastanza promettenti - cambiano pian piano carattere, mentre pagine e pagine son dedicate a descrizioni insulse e la trama si fa incoerente, finché alla conclusione al lettore non resta altro che un senso di irritata frustrazione.
March 21, 2019
I wanted to like this, especially after seeing Mary Balogh's endorsement, but it didn't quite work for me. I think the characters and plot were just a little too old school for me. Rutherston just felt too overbearing and I never really warmed to him as a hero. I like Catherine at first, but felt that her attraction to Rutherston was very superficial and I never really understood why she fell for him after the way he initially treated her. The misunderstandings also could have been easily overcome by a few honest conversations, so the tension became tedious after a certain. I did enjoy the secondary romance between Catherine's sister Lucy and Charles, which felt sweet and funny. Although this one didn't work for me, I might try another of Elizabeth Thornton's books.
April 28, 2022
This was very much like an old school corset ripper.
The hero is definitely the worst part. He's a little rapey at the beginning of the intimate scenes. He also treats the heroine like a child most of the book. Even when the marriage is falling apart because of his lack of communication, he never really takes ownership of his fault.
So, not a bad book, but a little frustrating at times. Would not recommend if you don't like forceful intimacy or a sexist hero. (Not that I like those things, but they aren't a 100% deal breaker if I find the story engaging enough)
The hero is definitely the worst part. He's a little rapey at the beginning of the intimate scenes. He also treats the heroine like a child most of the book. Even when the marriage is falling apart because of his lack of communication, he never really takes ownership of his fault.
So, not a bad book, but a little frustrating at times. Would not recommend if you don't like forceful intimacy or a sexist hero. (Not that I like those things, but they aren't a 100% deal breaker if I find the story engaging enough)
March 5, 2023
3.5⭐
Okay so I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book, Did I like it? Yes .Would I recommend it to HR fans? Yeah,sure.
The thing is this book seems so familiar, it's reminiscent of many other books in the genre (yes, I do realise it's hard to be unique everytime) but still I probably compared it to Ms Thorntons other books and find it lacking but as usual the writing style remains brilliant.
Okay so I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book, Did I like it? Yes .Would I recommend it to HR fans? Yeah,sure.
The thing is this book seems so familiar, it's reminiscent of many other books in the genre (yes, I do realise it's hard to be unique everytime) but still I probably compared it to Ms Thorntons other books and find it lacking but as usual the writing style remains brilliant.
April 12, 2024
Bluestocking Bride
This book was slow at times, had a hard time finishing it. And the main protagonist was to full of herself, strong willed, conceited, lack of good manners. She treated the hero without respect, she appear snobbish, cold, through out the book and I don’t know how the hero could have put with her unruly behavior. I rated this book a three.
This book was slow at times, had a hard time finishing it. And the main protagonist was to full of herself, strong willed, conceited, lack of good manners. She treated the hero without respect, she appear snobbish, cold, through out the book and I don’t know how the hero could have put with her unruly behavior. I rated this book a three.
February 8, 2025
Trigger warnings & spoilers:
1st SA, he thinks she's an employee & doesn't even know her name.
2nd SA, he manipulates a situation where she feels safe but ends up alone with him instead.
These are not typical romance tropes. In neither instance does she experience desire for him--she's clear that his physical attention is unwanted.
3rd SA is spousal abuse.
1st SA, he thinks she's an employee & doesn't even know her name.
2nd SA, he manipulates a situation where she feels safe but ends up alone with him instead.
These are not typical romance tropes. In neither instance does she experience desire for him--she's clear that his physical attention is unwanted.
3rd SA is spousal abuse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2023
good book for the most part.
Enjoyed the characters. All but the main guy. What a jerk. Story was entertaining. Thankfully you can skip over any graphic love scenes quick and easy.
Enjoyed the characters. All but the main guy. What a jerk. Story was entertaining. Thankfully you can skip over any graphic love scenes quick and easy.
June 19, 2025
meh
I impatiently quit and dnf a couple of pages in bc i didn't like the character of the mmc.
Having read it with KU I skipped to the end (I like to read the wrap up) and tbh the whole thing is all around misunderstanding and ex mistresses so I'm happy it dnf
I impatiently quit and dnf a couple of pages in bc i didn't like the character of the mmc.
Having read it with KU I skipped to the end (I like to read the wrap up) and tbh the whole thing is all around misunderstanding and ex mistresses so I'm happy it dnf
June 14, 2018
Was drawn in
Read
July 21, 2019It feels like the book should end shortly after the wedding and I can't be bothered continuing.
February 20, 2015
I wanted to love this book, but it was so disheartening! One trope I dislike is "the big misunderstanding" and it goes on and on in The Bluestocking Bride. Richard, the hero is very much the alpha-hole in this story about a proud entitled peer who has two mistresses and yet the wherewithal to go after the lovely Catherine. It starts out very much like The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer. Two male relatives on journey to a property that the elder male has inherited from a distant uncle. I was very interested to be sure! But.....then the first meet! Catherine who is reading Greek in the library of Richard's new home is mistaken for a servant and well it goes down hill from there. Bitter and sarcastic with a dash of lust and passion....back and forth....back and forth....yada yada. Richard is cruel to Catherine throughout the story, even after they avow their love and wed. There is also a bit about a diamond necklace and a mistress that made me very angry!! At one point Richard explains his reasoning for having two mistresses and I had a book tossing moment though I wasn't about to throw my Kindle at the wall!
The writing is good and the characters with the exception of Richard are likable, but the constant angst was not enjoyable. I have read some really wonderful romances by Thornton, but this was not one of them.
The writing is good and the characters with the exception of Richard are likable, but the constant angst was not enjoyable. I have read some really wonderful romances by Thornton, but this was not one of them.
November 1, 2015
I read this hoping for something else, which it wasn't. There's nothing that irks me more than a regency where the guy feels he has to break the woman's will in order to be satisfied. Which in my humble opinion is a complete crock, I don't care if it's historically accurate. If I wanted accuracy I wouldn't be reading these in the first place.
April 21, 2015
Awesome regency romance novel!!!!!
October 21, 2015
I always root for a brainy heroine--and an equally intelligent, educated hero.
Read
May 28, 2017As her sister points out at some point in the book, being well-educated is not the same as being worldly wise. This is the heroine's main problem, really. Nonetheless, this makes for a good read, and the bonus story at the end, Sheer Sorcery, was entertaining as well, albeit rather obvious.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews