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The Six Sisters #4
Daphne
Daphne, the fourth daughter of the Reverend Charles Armitage, is beautiful--dazzlingly beautiful--but she is utterly wrapped up in her own appearance. It seems fitting when she decides to marry the exquisite Cyril Archer, who is as empty-headed and vain as she is; after all, once she is safely married, she can hide her true nature behind her beauty, never expected by anyone (least of all her husband) to do or say anything clever. Moreover, marrying Cyril will preserve her from the zealous schemes of her father, whose passion for the hunt is surpassed only by his love of tracking down wealthy, titled husbands for his many daughters.
But when Daphne heads home from London, escorted by her eccentric, malaprop cousin, Lady Godolphin, her plans are suddenly thrown awry. Her father, in an aborted attempt to save his hunting pack from a vindictive bishop, finds himself indebted to a certain Mr. Simon Garfield, who is every bit as wealthy as he is noble. So the country vicar offers up the stunning, unwilling Daphne as a bride, forcing her to drop her placid mask in order to fight for the right to make her own match. Meanwhile, Daphne's older sister Annabelle is having troubles of her own. Once so happy in her marriage, she is now losing her husband's love and attention because of their screaming son--or is it their son? Daphne suddenly finds herself in a compromising position when she is given an even more serious reason to resent her father than his marriage plans for her.
But when Daphne heads home from London, escorted by her eccentric, malaprop cousin, Lady Godolphin, her plans are suddenly thrown awry. Her father, in an aborted attempt to save his hunting pack from a vindictive bishop, finds himself indebted to a certain Mr. Simon Garfield, who is every bit as wealthy as he is noble. So the country vicar offers up the stunning, unwilling Daphne as a bride, forcing her to drop her placid mask in order to fight for the right to make her own match. Meanwhile, Daphne's older sister Annabelle is having troubles of her own. Once so happy in her marriage, she is now losing her husband's love and attention because of their screaming son--or is it their son? Daphne suddenly finds herself in a compromising position when she is given an even more serious reason to resent her father than his marriage plans for her.
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First published December 1, 1984
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About the author
Marion Chesney
147 books760 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 4, 2023
2,5 stars
Supersilly, but entertaining Regency panto.
A good palate cleanser in-between more serious books.
Supersilly, but entertaining Regency panto.
A good palate cleanser in-between more serious books.
July 25, 2017
Having reviewed so many of her books and once avowing to review more (hence the author's own category), I will continue.
I had this book in paperback and always enjoyed this fun little gem. Daphne is, on the surface, an incredibly vain beauty, who is actually sweet and immensely biddable. Sure, she doesn't have much of a personality, but she has enough not to want to be forced into marriage by her father, the Vicar Armitage, who had grown in arrogance after three marriages to three titled men.
The book starts off with a comedic turn of events: the Vicar, thinking the new bishop is coming to tell him to give up hunting, digs up a ditch right across the road to their village in order to give him a nasty scare. But who should turn up to fall into the ditch but Simon Garfield, that most eligible of rich untitled gentlemen? Daphne, pretty sure that that something terrible would happen with the ditch, rose early in the morning to go to the ditch and mistakes Garfield for the bishop and Garfield mistakes her for a mentally retarded village girl. He has suffered a huge accident and has a big headache in traveling to this village to buy a couple of fox-dogs for his friend and thinks that he has landed in Bedlam. It is incredibly funny from his point of view, as Daphne finds out his mistake and tries to act retarded to prevent her father from getting matrimonial ideas.
Daphne and Garfield are thrown together thereafter from time to time, with Daphne trying to evade him, and Garfield pursuing her. I liked Garfield. He was quick off the mark and one of Chesney's more accomplished heroes. He wasn't a Dandy or Corinthian and he dabbled in the stock, which was how he increased his family's wealth. He wasn't much for women, either, and he saved the fox-hounds from a whipping at his friend's hands. Once he found out the misunderstanding, he quickly stepped up to solve the issue. He was a man Who Got Things Done. Of all the heroes in this series, he was probably the least gullible and drawley. It was a cute story, and the misunderstanding borne of blackmail (towards Daphne) had me sympathizing with her. Sure, she was no genius, but she was a sweet girl who hid her thoughts behind a veneer of vanity.
I had this book in paperback and always enjoyed this fun little gem. Daphne is, on the surface, an incredibly vain beauty, who is actually sweet and immensely biddable. Sure, she doesn't have much of a personality, but she has enough not to want to be forced into marriage by her father, the Vicar Armitage, who had grown in arrogance after three marriages to three titled men.
The book starts off with a comedic turn of events: the Vicar, thinking the new bishop is coming to tell him to give up hunting, digs up a ditch right across the road to their village in order to give him a nasty scare. But who should turn up to fall into the ditch but Simon Garfield, that most eligible of rich untitled gentlemen? Daphne, pretty sure that that something terrible would happen with the ditch, rose early in the morning to go to the ditch and mistakes Garfield for the bishop and Garfield mistakes her for a mentally retarded village girl. He has suffered a huge accident and has a big headache in traveling to this village to buy a couple of fox-dogs for his friend and thinks that he has landed in Bedlam. It is incredibly funny from his point of view, as Daphne finds out his mistake and tries to act retarded to prevent her father from getting matrimonial ideas.
Daphne and Garfield are thrown together thereafter from time to time, with Daphne trying to evade him, and Garfield pursuing her. I liked Garfield. He was quick off the mark and one of Chesney's more accomplished heroes. He wasn't a Dandy or Corinthian and he dabbled in the stock, which was how he increased his family's wealth. He wasn't much for women, either, and he saved the fox-hounds from a whipping at his friend's hands. Once he found out the misunderstanding, he quickly stepped up to solve the issue. He was a man Who Got Things Done. Of all the heroes in this series, he was probably the least gullible and drawley. It was a cute story, and the misunderstanding borne of blackmail (towards Daphne) had me sympathizing with her. Sure, she was no genius, but she was a sweet girl who hid her thoughts behind a veneer of vanity.
November 13, 2022
Finally read Daphne’s book. It was okay, one thing about Marion Chesney, she does know how to write teenagers.
Was happy to see that the author is also consistent with her characters, the sister Annabelle is still the spoiled, vain, flirtatious minx from previous books. Minerva is still the responsible maternal oldest sister.
Silly heroine, thankfully all her unnecessary angst is solved in the end.
Available on Open Library
Was happy to see that the author is also consistent with her characters, the sister Annabelle is still the spoiled, vain, flirtatious minx from previous books. Minerva is still the responsible maternal oldest sister.
Silly heroine, thankfully all her unnecessary angst is solved in the end.
Available on Open Library
November 8, 2017
i can't put my finger on it, but this one might be my favorite so far. I think it was the funniest. It turns out that the sister everyone thought just a shallow dimwitted beauty, including herself, was one of the most perceptive, in small things. I really didn't like Annabelle or Deidre, who was so stupid while thinking she was so smart. I also liked that the author brought in more than a glimpse into the lives of some of the other sisters.
February 7, 2014
Beautiful, vain, cool Daphne, the middle Armitage sister is determined to marry a man of her own choosing. On a visit to London she meets a Mr. Cyril Archer, who is also beautiful and cool, and decides they would suit. However, Daphne's vanity and coolness are really a facade to mask her worries about her future and her family. She has learned that beautiful people are left alone and not expected to think so she puts on her mask and returns home. Upon Daphne's return home, she learns her father is preoccupied with trying to waylay the bishop who is arriving to demand the vicar give up the hunt by digging a ditch in the middle of the road. Daphne fears her father will be hanged if the bishop discovers her father's treachery and she attempts to stop the bishop but fears it is too late when she discovers an overturned carriage in the road. She rushes to the carriage and discovers a semi-conscious man and believing him to be the bishop, she confesses and asks for his blessing and is shocked when he kisses her! The man turns out to be the extremely wealthy Mr. Simon Garfield who was arriving to visit friends nearby. When Reverend Armitage discovers Mr. Garfield, he insists on the gentleman's recovering in the vicarage in hopes that Mr. Garfield will keep quiet about the incident. Daphne fears their strong, handsome guest and pretends to be crazy in order to keep him away, which has exactly the opposite effect! Mr. Garfield sees through Daphne's charade and is intrigued. He helps Daphne's father keep his horses and hounds in exchange for getting to know Daphne better. He believes she will quickly become like all the other women he knows and soon bore him, but he doesn't know Daphne at all and doesn't count on her continuing attempt to drive him away. Daphne returns to London to visit Lady Godolphin, who is having her own romantic troubles, and is thrown often into the company of Simon Garfield and is confused about her feelings for him. Meanwhile, Daphne worries about her sullen maid Betty and her sister Annabelle's marital troubles. There are many tears and many laughs before this story reaches the predictable conclusion. This story is much better written than than previous two and has more substance while still retaining the humor and romance. This is my favorite after Minerva.
April 11, 2019
I liked the method MC used her to show that beauty really is only skin deep and what lies beneath can disguise a sharp intelligence or hide a cunning cruel murderer. Yes, there’s always one of those in MC books it seems. Plus, there’s a vicar who has such an obsessive love for the hunt that he plots the demise of the new bishop when the said bishop dares to come for a visit to inform him that the hunt is not vicar-like and he must cease and desist at once. The star of this one for me was Lady Godolphin’s malapproprisms like - “Theseus in the Labyrinth” becomes “thoses in the laburnum”, “sacrilegious” is sackerlodges, overwrought is overwritten, rusticating becomes rustyfacting, hypocrit is hippochrist, and “chaste and unsullied” is “chased and unsulkied.”
March 14, 2016
This has, so far, been the funniest of the lot! After the disappointing character of Annabelle and the repeated stupidity of Deirdre, Daphne was rather refreshing. Intrigue, scandal, insanity (okay, faux insanity, but...still!), all wrapped in Beaton's glorious descriptions of muslin gowns and curly-trimmed beaver hats. Fun, wicked, amusing and delightfully mad. The best of the Six Sisters so far!
February 21, 2015
"Beauty .. excused everything" p 9. When observed, she puts on a blank bland face, smooth of worry lines kept inside. Otherwise, she "yawned .. scratched .. slouched" p 9.
Daphne Armitage 18-19, exquisite black-haired beauty of six sisters, intends to avoid the turmoil of true love by demanding nothing more of a husband than to be an elegant companion. The self-absorbed Mr Archer seems to fit the bill to perfection. But Mr Simon Garfield agitates Daphne's calm and disrupts her intentions.
Lady Godolphin is a fave in the series for her funny phrases. "Men are a lot of follicles .. I've given them up .. started at Lent and kept on going .. paint too". Mourning loss of beloved unfaithful Colonel Brian, she looks "a great deal younger .. like a well-scrubbed bulldog" p 8.
Vicar father Mr Armitage is comic too. He starts the book off by catching Garfield in his road pit for the bishop. The greedy bishop wants him to give up costly hunting. Garfield faints from a concussion, kisses Daphne to make her always after "uncomfortable", and mistakes eccentrics for crazies. Daphne weaves threads her hair to accentuate his impression, but he catches her sensible glances.
"Wood-pigeons squabbled noisily over the still-orange rowan berries and brightly colored butterflies performed their erratic dance in the sleepy air" p 9. I remember butterflies, hardly a one all year anymore. Whether choking city smog or clean country (for hay-fever sneezles), look and scents are fully rounded.
Light treatment belies seriousness of issues: incest, Bedlam, religious fervor. Even now, girls try to present vapid exteriors, no math, chemistry, science. Would a teen read this and speedily toss away, say "Doesn't apply to me". Or would she recognize similarities? Lady of Devices Claire and author do https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
Typos:
p 31 "would no longer deal with you that I would a horse thief" is "you than I"
p 38 "Perhaps, museB the squire", where B=Blank is "Perhaps, mused the""
Daphne Armitage 18-19, exquisite black-haired beauty of six sisters, intends to avoid the turmoil of true love by demanding nothing more of a husband than to be an elegant companion. The self-absorbed Mr Archer seems to fit the bill to perfection. But Mr Simon Garfield agitates Daphne's calm and disrupts her intentions.
Lady Godolphin is a fave in the series for her funny phrases. "Men are a lot of follicles .. I've given them up .. started at Lent and kept on going .. paint too". Mourning loss of beloved unfaithful Colonel Brian, she looks "a great deal younger .. like a well-scrubbed bulldog" p 8.
Vicar father Mr Armitage is comic too. He starts the book off by catching Garfield in his road pit for the bishop. The greedy bishop wants him to give up costly hunting. Garfield faints from a concussion, kisses Daphne to make her always after "uncomfortable", and mistakes eccentrics for crazies. Daphne weaves threads her hair to accentuate his impression, but he catches her sensible glances.
"Wood-pigeons squabbled noisily over the still-orange rowan berries and brightly colored butterflies performed their erratic dance in the sleepy air" p 9. I remember butterflies, hardly a one all year anymore. Whether choking city smog or clean country (for hay-fever sneezles), look and scents are fully rounded.
Light treatment belies seriousness of issues: incest, Bedlam, religious fervor. Even now, girls try to present vapid exteriors, no math, chemistry, science. Would a teen read this and speedily toss away, say "Doesn't apply to me". Or would she recognize similarities? Lady of Devices Claire and author do https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
Typos:
p 31 "would no longer deal with you that I would a horse thief" is "you than I"
p 38 "Perhaps, museB the squire", where B=Blank is "Perhaps, mused the""
November 29, 2014
Daphne, the fourth book in the Six Sisters series, again contains an original plot by M. C. Beaton. (Really only three marriages exist in Pride and Prejudice, and Annabelle uses up two of them.) Daphne, like two of the elder sisters is sent to Lady Godolphin to find a husband. She comes up with a Cyril Archer, who is good looking, but has neither money or personality; Daphne doesn't seem to notice since she feels that unlike her sisters she will not be "sold" to the highest bidder (she forgets that all three of her elder sisters are in fact madly in love with their wealthy husbands) and everyone seems to find Mr. Archer very attractive, so he must be.
At home for a vacation, her father has dug a pit to trap the bishop who is supposedly going to visit him and get him to quit hunting. Into this trap falls Simon Garfield, one of the wealthiest men in England. However, he thinks the entire family is insane. Trapping a bishop (the Reverend Armitage, the father), taking any medicine without questioning it (the mother), dressing like a whore in middle age (Lady Godolphin), and Daphne who acts like one to avoid a man she knows to be wealthy and therefore attractive to her father. Mr. Garfield does, however, buy two of the Reverend Armitage's fox hounds for a friend of his, and Daphne, who loves them, reveals her true self. Mr. Garfield knows Cyril Archer and declares he is not proper for Daphne, now that he himself finds her attractive. However, when he visits his friend, Mr. Apsley, and sees that he is mistreating the two hounds, Bellsire and Thunderer, he takes them back, earning Daphne's respect.
After many episodes Daphne learns that Cyril is not just a gentleman, but not really interested in women; he just wants a wife to look good. He overhears a conversation that indicates that Annabelle's baby is not the son of her husband, Brabbington, but of her father. In order to force Daphne to marry him, he blackmails her; she doesn't think she has any alternative--since she too for some incredible reason believes it. But Simon Garfield, who knows Cyril's real gender preferences, realizes something is wrong and saves both Daphne and her family's reputation. Annabelle has to give back the baby to her father's servant and the Reverend Armitage is forced to let the servant marry his other servant. Daphne agrees to marry Mr. Garfield as long as her father gives in and lets Diane, daughter # 5, go hunting with him. At least the plot is new and the characters are interesting.
At home for a vacation, her father has dug a pit to trap the bishop who is supposedly going to visit him and get him to quit hunting. Into this trap falls Simon Garfield, one of the wealthiest men in England. However, he thinks the entire family is insane. Trapping a bishop (the Reverend Armitage, the father), taking any medicine without questioning it (the mother), dressing like a whore in middle age (Lady Godolphin), and Daphne who acts like one to avoid a man she knows to be wealthy and therefore attractive to her father. Mr. Garfield does, however, buy two of the Reverend Armitage's fox hounds for a friend of his, and Daphne, who loves them, reveals her true self. Mr. Garfield knows Cyril Archer and declares he is not proper for Daphne, now that he himself finds her attractive. However, when he visits his friend, Mr. Apsley, and sees that he is mistreating the two hounds, Bellsire and Thunderer, he takes them back, earning Daphne's respect.
After many episodes Daphne learns that Cyril is not just a gentleman, but not really interested in women; he just wants a wife to look good. He overhears a conversation that indicates that Annabelle's baby is not the son of her husband, Brabbington, but of her father. In order to force Daphne to marry him, he blackmails her; she doesn't think she has any alternative--since she too for some incredible reason believes it. But Simon Garfield, who knows Cyril's real gender preferences, realizes something is wrong and saves both Daphne and her family's reputation. Annabelle has to give back the baby to her father's servant and the Reverend Armitage is forced to let the servant marry his other servant. Daphne agrees to marry Mr. Garfield as long as her father gives in and lets Diane, daughter # 5, go hunting with him. At least the plot is new and the characters are interesting.
January 9, 2013
I liked this one too!
Daphne is the most beautiful of the sisters (much to Annabelle's irritation!) but after giving her those good looks nature seemed to think it unnecessary to provide her with a character!!!
Or at least, that's what Daphne would have you believe!!!
I loved how when no one was looking she was a bit of a slob. The hero was pretty standard, I did like it when, after he'd hit his head in an accident, he couldn't decide if everyone was mad or he had hit his head harder than at first thought!
This would have been a 4 star but I didn't like the side plot of Annabelle's baby.
Daphne is the most beautiful of the sisters (much to Annabelle's irritation!) but after giving her those good looks nature seemed to think it unnecessary to provide her with a character!!!
Or at least, that's what Daphne would have you believe!!!
I loved how when no one was looking she was a bit of a slob. The hero was pretty standard, I did like it when, after he'd hit his head in an accident, he couldn't decide if everyone was mad or he had hit his head harder than at first thought!
This would have been a 4 star but I didn't like the side plot of Annabelle's baby.
November 15, 2024
Fourth in the series, and I was starting to hit my stride. I honestly liked them more and more as I continued, and this was no exception. Daphne is as wild yet beautiful as her sisters, and just as clueless as to romance and lovemaking. There is the fun of new discoveries and new love.
Another in the six sisters series, and another great book. More of a review to come when I get home after the holidays.
Another in the six sisters series, and another great book. More of a review to come when I get home after the holidays.
February 15, 2015
Funny story again in this series where a vicar is trying to marry off all of his daughters to men with wealth. This time the vicar has a change of heart and becomes so "faithful" to his church because of his conscience that everyone thinks he has gone crazy. Daphne is involved with two suitors but finally ends up with a rich man who turns out to be the better man. The vicar changes back to his old self and alls right with the world!
March 29, 2013
Daphne is the fourth of the six Armitage sisters and the most beautiful. At first glance she appears the most vain and vapid as well, but there more than meets the eye. I am really enjoying this series. Quite radical, really. The first gay main character is introduced in this novel. And the subplot with Annabelle's baby...
January 2, 2024
It was gratifying to see how the story dealt with the theme presented. Overall, it was entertaining. If anything, the romance was its weakest aspect. The love interest was rather unmemorable. He started as a riveting character, but eventually, he got reduced to a cliche. His character revolved around his romantic advances and the heroic deeds that came with them. There was not much to him.
January 24, 2017
Marion Chesney delivers a romance with twists and turns. I really enjoyed the historical notes.
August 2, 2022
Funny, light reading…enjoyable!
June 21, 2024
Bridgerton but make it 80’s. Regency romantic kerfuffles.
August 17, 2019
Installation #4 of Marion Chesney's "Six Sisters" series. Eighteen year old Daphne Armitage, who's three older sister made very advantageous marriages to men of wealth, status and looks, is content to marry one Cyril Archer. Mr. Archer, though not very wealthy and not very manly, is suitable marriage material in Daphne's eyes, though not in any one else's opinion. Enter Mr. Simon Garfield, a man of considerable stature & brawn, a wealthy business man though born into a good family and someone who is a confirmed bachelor with a capital "B". Daphne, as previously stated, is not interested. Mr. Garfield is just too much trouble, too much to handle. However, things happen that causes Daphne to change her mind.....somewhat. Hounds are involved, blackmail, almost, threats, rescues, damage to a reputation, more rescue. All in all, a good story, a nice diversion.
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January 25, 2026I can’t rate these. Once I pick one up I can’t put it down. But also these are the definition of the word problematic. In this edition, the vicar has forced the maid to give her baby to his daughter, with all of the problematic class implications you can imagine. We also have as the villain a closeted gay man who is trying to blackmail the heroine into being his beard. I still think part of the draw for me is that these read as dystopian. It is an obviously evil society bringing out the worst in people. But also… I must just find this author’s writing style extremely compelling, as uncomfortable as I feel with these themes and plot lines. There is also an understanding of human nature that gets me - like the main character’s desire to retreat into her appearance, protecting herself from vulnerability. At this point I have to admit I am going to read the whole series.
April 30, 2020
What Daphne and Mr. Garfield lacked in engaging personality, the book made up for by utter zaniness of plot. Any story that starts out with worldly vicars digging pits in the middle of the night to avoid censure and reprimand almost certainly promises to be entertaining! Stolen babies, feigning insanity, elopement, and a secretly gay man also feature.
Now in Book 4 of the series, I appreciate the vicar and the squire's relationship more and more while still remaining frustrated at the clergyman's oblivious flaws of character. I also enjoy that in each book, the next-younger sister is subtly introduced so we can get to know her in the subsequent story.
Now in Book 4 of the series, I appreciate the vicar and the squire's relationship more and more while still remaining frustrated at the clergyman's oblivious flaws of character. I also enjoy that in each book, the next-younger sister is subtly introduced so we can get to know her in the subsequent story.
May 5, 2025
As has been common of the series, the romance is mostly middling to poor, but the character profile was interesting. I really liked getting to see Daphne through her own perspective and the decision she made about her external personality made for a very specific type of story. I had worried that Daphne would be more difficult to like as Annabelle was, but instead she ended up having a depth of character and internal kindness that was easy to get behind. Garfield was rather two dimensional and probably the weakest of the MMCs so far, but fit the role needed for the book nicely.
January 27, 2026
This is my favorite in the series so far. Out of all of her sisters, she chose (twice!) who she wants to marry. I was surprised at the beginning that we started off with a semi engagement since all the other sisters were so adamant about not wanting to marry. We also get introduced to more of the hounds, which delighted me. I would love a book from Betty's point of view. I knew immediately that Mr. Armitage has taken the baby, but it took me a little longer to realize that it was given to Annabelle. This is the vilest thing Armitage has done. I really hope Annabelle has her own baby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2019
Another interesting tale about the six sisters, this one about daughter number four, Daphne. It’s pretty much like the others with the pretty daughter being captivated by someone she does not think she likes, but deep down is in love with. The conflict comes with Mr. Archer, who wants to marry for the sake of appearances, but has no interest in women.
March 8, 2021
This book is a sweet and interesting story.
Straight to the point.
And it has the most unimaginable twist. (in my opinion).
Knowing the other 3 books in the series, this story has an interesting unfold and is relatively calm in action when compared.
But nonetheless, Daphne is a character that is more intelligent than she appears to show.
Romantic and funny.
Straight to the point.
And it has the most unimaginable twist. (in my opinion).
Knowing the other 3 books in the series, this story has an interesting unfold and is relatively calm in action when compared.
But nonetheless, Daphne is a character that is more intelligent than she appears to show.
Romantic and funny.
April 19, 2021
Did you know that M C Beaton was actually one of the pseudonyms used by writer Marion Chesney? You may find this book listed with either of those names as its author.
Ostensibly it's a romance, but it's lots of fun and has some interesting period observations thrown in. Worth reading, even if you're a guy! :)
Ostensibly it's a romance, but it's lots of fun and has some interesting period observations thrown in. Worth reading, even if you're a guy! :)
November 19, 2024
Well...a somewhat diverting book, but three days later and I cannot even remember the subplot (though it had something to do with ). Runs close to the edge of a kind of sexism not allowed in fiction now--you know, how the girl kinda likes the guy to take control in regard to kissing.
February 16, 2022
I enjoyed it but I think it is my least favorite of the series so far. Maybe it is just Daphne that isn't my favorite, so obsessed with herself. Thankfully the Vicar and Lady Godolphin were there for entertainment.
June 17, 2022
A quick fun read in the Six Sisters Series. Beaton brings her humor when narrating the story of Daphne, the prettiest of the sisters. When she is forced into a engagement to prevent a scandal for her family, her true admirer must clear her name and win her back.
September 23, 2023
Daphne
This is a terrific read in the Six sisters series. Thoroughly enjoyable, extremely funny when Lady Godolphin gets her words addled. But it deals with a serious story too. 10/10
This is a terrific read in the Six sisters series. Thoroughly enjoyable, extremely funny when Lady Godolphin gets her words addled. But it deals with a serious story too. 10/10
July 7, 2025
Daft as a brush. I’ve not read the other books in the series, but having read Sense and Sensibility recently, this seemed much more to my tastes. A quick enough read, I quite felt for Garfield and Archer is a cad. The malapropisms got a little bit annoying after a while, though.
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