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Mischief in Mayfair #3
Miss Dignified
Lydia Lovelace has taken the housekeeper’s post in the London home of Captain Dylan Powell. The captain is short on charm, but he’s known for his rapport with, and support of, former soldiers trying to make a peacetime life in London. Unbeknownst to the captain, Lydia is searching for a brother who never came home after Waterloo, a brother whose birthright, along with Lydia’s settlements, is being frittered away by scheming family members.
Dylan has never viewed his home as much more than a place to take meals and sleep out of the wet while he finds paying work and good positions for his former subordinates. The new housekeeper is changing all of that, bringing comfort and tranquility to Dylan’s domicile and to his days. When Dylan and Lydia begin to explore pleasures shared in the night, Lydia realizes she will have to choose between loyalty to her long-lost brother and a future with the captain who has stolen her heart.
Dylan has never viewed his home as much more than a place to take meals and sleep out of the wet while he finds paying work and good positions for his former subordinates. The new housekeeper is changing all of that, bringing comfort and tranquility to Dylan’s domicile and to his days. When Dylan and Lydia begin to explore pleasures shared in the night, Lydia realizes she will have to choose between loyalty to her long-lost brother and a future with the captain who has stolen her heart.
319 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2021
181 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
187 books2,923 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
January 15, 2022
Miss Delectable book #1
Miss Delightful book #2
I read/ enjoyed these books in the series. Book #3 was
a rom-mystery.
Captain Dylan Powell, former Army reconnaissance man,
resided in London 2 years after the war ended. He felt
compelled to ensure those wounded under his command
had food/ shelter/ a trade. Or a job. He spoke in military
terms IE "mustered out," "deserted the regiment," and
"fire when ready." He maintained contact with his 2
cousins + 1 cous. by marriage + their spouses. He seldom
smiled. He neglected his 3 sisters & tenants in Wales,
preoccupied w/ his former soldiers.
Lydia, daughter of an earl, worked as Powell's housekeeper.
She sought info on the whereabouts of her brother Marcus
perceived as an inferior, indecisive Lt. in the war. Enlisted
men thought the Lt. a 'toady' to cruel, unprincipled Lt. Col.
Dunacre, who died at Waterloo. Always-observant Powell
ignored signs: Lydia was better connected than he believed
at the onset. The MCs had a real attraction & he was a gent
& didn't want to rush amorous action.
I liked this couple. However, Lydia's scheming male cous.
Wes & Uncle Reggie overwhelmed this story. Wes had an
unpleasant surprise sprung on him. Some in the real world
may be greedy, evil & prone to blackmail and intimidation,
but I don't necessarily seek these elements in a romance.
Revised.
Miss Delightful book #2
I read/ enjoyed these books in the series. Book #3 was
a rom-mystery.
Captain Dylan Powell, former Army reconnaissance man,
resided in London 2 years after the war ended. He felt
compelled to ensure those wounded under his command
had food/ shelter/ a trade. Or a job. He spoke in military
terms IE "mustered out," "deserted the regiment," and
"fire when ready." He maintained contact with his 2
cousins + 1 cous. by marriage + their spouses. He seldom
smiled. He neglected his 3 sisters & tenants in Wales,
preoccupied w/ his former soldiers.
Lydia, daughter of an earl, worked as Powell's housekeeper.
She sought info on the whereabouts of her brother Marcus
perceived as an inferior, indecisive Lt. in the war. Enlisted
men thought the Lt. a 'toady' to cruel, unprincipled Lt. Col.
Dunacre, who died at Waterloo. Always-observant Powell
ignored signs: Lydia was better connected than he believed
at the onset. The MCs had a real attraction & he was a gent
& didn't want to rush amorous action.
I liked this couple. However, Lydia's scheming male cous.
Wes & Uncle Reggie overwhelmed this story. Wes had an
unpleasant surprise sprung on him. Some in the real world
may be greedy, evil & prone to blackmail and intimidation,
but I don't necessarily seek these elements in a romance.
Revised.
February 24, 2022
3 to 3.5 stars. This was an okay book - a nice read but nothing too gripping or spectacular. Lydia and Dylan were both likeable characters but together their chemistry was a little tepid. I would like to have seen more emphasis on the romance between them. As it was, the little mystery about Lydia's missing brother, while reasonably interesting, took up too much page space for me. In the middle of the book I started to lose interest and I took a break from the read for a while. But when I eventually pushed through, the later part of the book picked up a bit more pace and interest and the ending was fine.
I read this book for the Romance Across the Ages Challenge for HRBC, February 2022 - Regency period. I'm also counting this series for the 2022 Mad About Series Challenge for HRBC, although it will be a little while before I finish because there's another book in the series due out in May 2022. Hopefully it will be a better read than this one.
I read this book for the Romance Across the Ages Challenge for HRBC, February 2022 - Regency period. I'm also counting this series for the 2022 Mad About Series Challenge for HRBC, although it will be a little while before I finish because there's another book in the series due out in May 2022. Hopefully it will be a better read than this one.
July 18, 2022
Combination romance, mystery and military story. It was a hard balance to maintain, and often the romance was lost. I enjoyed the first book in the series. This was well written but had too many plots going on to really engage me with the love story for Lydia and Dylan. I never felt a connection between the couple and the mystery, and the overuse of military terms did not move the story. I rate it 3.5*
April 1, 2022
A second accidental reading had me upping from 4 to 5 stars. I so love many of Burrowes characters and this one had me enjoying the reread. Sometimes one just needs to read a fav author!
September 20, 2022
I loved this so much. Dylan is a very honorable man and honorable ex-soldier. He is concerned for the men who were under his command who are now needing to matriculate back into society. The men have psychological issues, PTSD, wounds that will heal, wounds that will not heal, they need food, shelter, and a new livelihood. One by one he has been taking care of the aftermath. He's homesick for his home in Wales and his family. But his men come first.
Lydia is an Earl's daughter living in London as a housekeeper for Dylan's household. She is trying to find her brother who has been missing since he started home from Waterloo. Her uncle wants to be the Earl and is applying for her brother to be declared dead and in the meantime is squandering the earldom's wealth. His son also wants to be the Earl and gain the wealth brought to the family by Lydia's mother by marrying his cousin.
Great contributions by the couples from Mischief #1 and Mischief #2, plus Sycamore and Jeanette. That's all for now since publication is still in the future.
Lydia is an Earl's daughter living in London as a housekeeper for Dylan's household. She is trying to find her brother who has been missing since he started home from Waterloo. Her uncle wants to be the Earl and is applying for her brother to be declared dead and in the meantime is squandering the earldom's wealth. His son also wants to be the Earl and gain the wealth brought to the family by Lydia's mother by marrying his cousin.
Great contributions by the couples from Mischief #1 and Mischief #2, plus Sycamore and Jeanette. That's all for now since publication is still in the future.
December 23, 2021
Oh I long to think like Grace Burrowes!! I love her witty language and wonderful character descriptions. Miss Dignified has two of my favorites! Dylan and Lydia are a perfect match. This book is less steamy but has a better plot as respect and love grows between a former soldier and his housekeeper. Well done Grace!!
January 5, 2022
AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH lying, deluding, more lying, self pity. FFS Ms Burrowes, have you ever made a more miserable heroine that gets zero sympathy from me or anyone?!?!?
Lydia is... Lydia and while there are deceptions, Lydia is a liar and I cannot stand liars for 62% of a book. So all the good writing in this book is nil to me.
Lydia is... Lydia and while there are deceptions, Lydia is a liar and I cannot stand liars for 62% of a book. So all the good writing in this book is nil to me.
December 23, 2021
3.5 stars
Good, but so slow.
I really liked Lydia and Dylan’s chemistry. If the whole book was just them having a conversation, I would have been happy.
Good, but so slow.
I really liked Lydia and Dylan’s chemistry. If the whole book was just them having a conversation, I would have been happy.
March 16, 2022
I’ve been enjoying these ‘Mischief in Mayfair’ books!
A desperate Lydia Lovelace is determined to locate her MIA brother, and decides that going incognito as housekeeper for Capt. Dylan Powell will help accomplish her goal. Capt. Powell’s contacts among London’s population of former soldiers is sure to help her in her search. As a mutual attraction springs to life between them, Lydia is tempted to bring Dylan into her confidence, but she’s sure that he won’t be able to ignore the shadows from her past. However, even as she gets closer to finding her brother, Dylan discovers the truth….as well as the strength of his feelings for her.
Burrowes has used the ‘housekeeper-in-disguise’ trope before with great success. And she manages to do it again here, even if it stretches the bounds of credibility almost to the breaking point. Lydia is, in fact, Lady Lydia, the daughter of an Earl. And I do wonder how and when she would have learned how to manage a household. I’m picturing Lady Mary Crawley (Downton Abbey) trying to be Mrs. Hughes.
But I love the very healthy and adult way these characters fall in love. There’s respect, caring, and passion…and a nice HEA!
Glad I read this.
A desperate Lydia Lovelace is determined to locate her MIA brother, and decides that going incognito as housekeeper for Capt. Dylan Powell will help accomplish her goal. Capt. Powell’s contacts among London’s population of former soldiers is sure to help her in her search. As a mutual attraction springs to life between them, Lydia is tempted to bring Dylan into her confidence, but she’s sure that he won’t be able to ignore the shadows from her past. However, even as she gets closer to finding her brother, Dylan discovers the truth….as well as the strength of his feelings for her.
Burrowes has used the ‘housekeeper-in-disguise’ trope before with great success. And she manages to do it again here, even if it stretches the bounds of credibility almost to the breaking point. Lydia is, in fact, Lady Lydia, the daughter of an Earl. And I do wonder how and when she would have learned how to manage a household. I’m picturing Lady Mary Crawley (Downton Abbey) trying to be Mrs. Hughes.
But I love the very healthy and adult way these characters fall in love. There’s respect, caring, and passion…and a nice HEA!
Glad I read this.
January 24, 2022
In addition to her plot twists, I enjoy that her “evil” characters are rotten to the core, and that someone will overcome all the obstacles. I look forward to each new adventure whether the heroine is in disguise seeking a lost sibling or the hero who cannot put the past to rest.
August 17, 2023
This book took me a while to read. I but Burrowes' books on Googlr play and read them in between other books. I liked the characters, but the military terms that many if the characters used sometimes annoyed me. I liked the historical facts of the returning soldiers having so many problems after Waterloo. There was a slight mystery that took forever to get solved. However, I do enjoy these stories and will continue to read them.
January 10, 2022
Lydia is looking for her brother, who survived Waterloo, but has not returned home. Dylan is trying to make sure all the soldiers under his command are employed before he leaves for Wales. I really enjoyed both characters and they also had kittens involved in the story. I know technically there are characters in a book and not real people, but I did enjoy them, Grace Burrowes is one of my favorite authors.
January 7, 2022
A great read!
I enjoyed reading about Dylan and Lydia. How they took in a pair of kittens, helped multiple former soldiers to find food and a job, A way to make a living and keep a roof over their heads. Lydia became a housekeeper at his house to try and get his help to locate her lost brother who had been a soldier in the war and never came home, went missing. Dylan and Lydia became friends, although he was her employer, she took him to task with eating regularly and listening to his worries. I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens next. I highly recommend this book! 👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤
I enjoyed reading about Dylan and Lydia. How they took in a pair of kittens, helped multiple former soldiers to find food and a job, A way to make a living and keep a roof over their heads. Lydia became a housekeeper at his house to try and get his help to locate her lost brother who had been a soldier in the war and never came home, went missing. Dylan and Lydia became friends, although he was her employer, she took him to task with eating regularly and listening to his worries. I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens next. I highly recommend this book! 👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤
January 10, 2022
Ms. Burrowes is top notch.
What a delight to read. Each book in this series engaged me completely. Captain Dylan Powell’s story with Mrs. Lydia Lovelace told a somewhat complex tale of military life, family betrayal and an appealing HEA. Engaging dialogue, an amazing command of military customs, superb characterization - all set the plot rolling without one bobble.
What a delight to read. Each book in this series engaged me completely. Captain Dylan Powell’s story with Mrs. Lydia Lovelace told a somewhat complex tale of military life, family betrayal and an appealing HEA. Engaging dialogue, an amazing command of military customs, superb characterization - all set the plot rolling without one bobble.
September 2, 2024
Too many “I must protect everyone so I will lie and hide the truth “ scenarios going on. Just ok.
January 10, 2022
Simply perfect
I loved watching the relationship between Lydia and Dylan. Grace Burrows is genius in bringing people together and then challenging their relationship. I never write a spoiler, but I will say that the supporting cast was so well integrated into this story. Miss Dignified is a lucky girl!!
I loved watching the relationship between Lydia and Dylan. Grace Burrows is genius in bringing people together and then challenging their relationship. I never write a spoiler, but I will say that the supporting cast was so well integrated into this story. Miss Dignified is a lucky girl!!
April 10, 2022
3.5 stars.
December 29, 2021
Lady Lydia Lovelace goes undercover as a housekeeper for Captain Dylan Powell to ferret out the whereabouts of her missing brother, Lord Marcus Tremont, a man who does not want to be found. Captain Powell believes it is his mission in life to take care of the men who served with him in the fight against France, feeding, clothing and employing them when necessary. As Lydia and Dylan become more than employer/employee, she realizes that her deceit about who she is and why she is in London will force a wedge between them. Unraveling the reason why Marcus is on the run will test Dylan and Lydia’s commitment to the truth and to each other. Ms. Burrowes writes beautiful stories that are always unpredictable, taking the reader off in unexpected directions, and to an HEA which is always satisfyingly beautiful. There are no overused tropes to be found in Ms. Burrowes’ stories, only witty prose, period appropriate morals and language, and a delightful and dazzling story to lose oneself in of a day. I highly recommend Miss Dignified. This book was provided by the author without any requirement for a review, positive or otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own.
January 5, 2022
Like climbing into a bed with warm sheets, Grace Burrowes always delivers.
January 18, 2022
I have enjoyed the Mischief in Mayfair series very much. Miss Dignified was no exception. The writing is exceptional, and the characters well developed. The former couples from book 1 and 2 take part and the read was a delight for me. It also addressed the reality of war and soldiers coming home. Dylan Powell was in the war and Lydia's brother was too. The tale was well executed and both these souls came together weary from the battles they both fought. They are well suited and now no longer lonely.
December 18, 2021
I'm rounding up quite a bit.
I liked this book very much. There's an underlying humor in the portrayal of the main characters, even as they both face significant difficulties past and present, and it's easy to see how they suit each other. Both of them learn and grow in the course of the story. There are some nice twists in the secondary character arcs. Several characters are, or have been, confronted with nearly insoluble challenges. And the plot has its mystery aspects, with a bit of suspense but not a distracting amount.
I liked this book very much. There's an underlying humor in the portrayal of the main characters, even as they both face significant difficulties past and present, and it's easy to see how they suit each other. Both of them learn and grow in the course of the story. There are some nice twists in the secondary character arcs. Several characters are, or have been, confronted with nearly insoluble challenges. And the plot has its mystery aspects, with a bit of suspense but not a distracting amount.
March 6, 2023
The third story in the series, about the third cousin who went to war. He has appointed himself the guardian to the discharged soldiers in London, after the battle of Waterloo. At least for those he commanded directly. And his housekeeper-- his young, very attractive housekeeper-- is his ally in the task for those who come to his back door. She, however, isn't who she claims to be. She's come to London hunting for someone and hopes he can help her. If he will. It's a good story, lovely and angsty like most of Burrowes's books. I liked it a lot.
May 9, 2024
This book had a lot of potential, but it unfortunately contained too many cardinal sins:
1. Someone choosing to perpetuate a self-serving lie for too damn long, especially if the lie can and will hurt others - and when the lie inevitably blows up, they dare to point fingers or get angry at others 😡 it's everyone else's fault that you had to lie, right? 🙄
2. After the truth comes out, other characters immediately come out of the woodwork to take the side of the liar in question - something ESPECIALLY heinous if they are friends and family of the "victim", not the liar. Like, why are you showing support for the person that hurt your loved one? Are they not entitled to feel hurt, betrayed, or offended?
Lydia's and Dylan's relationship also doesn't really make a lot of sense - like, they went from 0 to "let's make out and hump each other like rabbits" faster than hormone-riddled teenagers with lots of privacy and no adult supervision. Not only that, but once things actually get going:
- She gets MAD at her lover/employer at the beginning of whatever they're doing - she just assumes that he doesn't want to continue fooling around when he's just trying make sure that he's not taking advantage of her. I didn't know that setting boundaries was a bad thing?
- She FINALLY gets around to telling Dylan the truth...AFTER they finally have sex. She obviously couldn't tell him beforehand, because she was too impatient for his dick, right?
- She also just blurts out the truth in the most blunt and ungraceful way possible, and expects him to just...what, smile and give her a hug and a kiss?
- Yes, he was an idiot and he had said that nothing could make him love her less or some twaddle, but she KNEW that the promise was a love-addled hyperbole - why else did she wait even longer to come clean?
- He was justifiably angry in my opinion, but Heaven forbid that anyone else agree - and let's just throw his mistakes at him to make him feel even more shitty
- He didn't actually ever say that he didn't love her anymore, or that he wanted to end things, or that she was fired, or that he wouldn't help her - these were all things that she ASSUMED (and so had no reason to be so pissed at him)
- If she still wanted him to help, why not ask outright instead of passive-aggressively trying to bully him into doing it?
- I can't even tell you how outraged I was that DYLAN apologised (with no sign of self-awareness or reciprocity on her end)
And at this point we get to another rage-inducing plot point:
3. WHY DO THESE SO-CALLED HEROINES ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS WANT TO TAG ALONG ON THE RESCUE/RETRIEVAL MISSION? Like, you're just not gonna be as helpful (unless you're a Mary Sue, I guess, which is a whole 'nother literary crime), you'll be a distraction at best and a potential victim or hostage at worst, and you'll slow everyone down.
> Dylan had forgiven her for her subterfuges, and she had forgiven him for judging her, but sometimes, forgiveness was not enough.
Has she?
> "Then refuse the assignment," Lydia said. "Tell the ladies to recruit one of your cousins, to impose on Mr. Dorning, to put off the outing until you are feeling more the thing. Tell them you need to rest, that a pressing business matter has come up. They are not your commanding officers, Dylan - you are your commanding officer now - and the British Museumn will sit at the exact same location tomorrow."
Uh huh. Sure. Tell the most duty-bound man in England to ditch his sisters...and it has nothing to do with him then having time to do what you want him to do for you, right?
Also, OKAY SIS. Is it not clear to everyone that you (and everyone else for some reason) think that you are his commanding officer?
> "Tremont is Mrs. Lovelace's younger brother," Dylan said. “She is very concerned for him, and that means [...] I have been an ass, and the only way I know to make amends to Mrs. Lovelace is to put things right with her brother."
What?
Did he ever do anything to her brother? Did he ever cast aspersions on him that weren't true or based in truth? Why was he the ass?
...
Okay. I must say that I did not see that plot twist coming - and some of the characters were actually quite likeable (responsible men that look after their friends and family are always welcome), and so I'll throw in an extra star.
You might enjoy this book if you're into lots of angst, lies, overly humble lovers, fierce Welsh women, and villainous extended family, this may work for you.
1. Someone choosing to perpetuate a self-serving lie for too damn long, especially if the lie can and will hurt others - and when the lie inevitably blows up, they dare to point fingers or get angry at others 😡 it's everyone else's fault that you had to lie, right? 🙄
2. After the truth comes out, other characters immediately come out of the woodwork to take the side of the liar in question - something ESPECIALLY heinous if they are friends and family of the "victim", not the liar. Like, why are you showing support for the person that hurt your loved one? Are they not entitled to feel hurt, betrayed, or offended?
Lydia's and Dylan's relationship also doesn't really make a lot of sense - like, they went from 0 to "let's make out and hump each other like rabbits" faster than hormone-riddled teenagers with lots of privacy and no adult supervision. Not only that, but once things actually get going:
- She gets MAD at her lover/employer at the beginning of whatever they're doing - she just assumes that he doesn't want to continue fooling around when he's just trying make sure that he's not taking advantage of her. I didn't know that setting boundaries was a bad thing?
- She FINALLY gets around to telling Dylan the truth...AFTER they finally have sex. She obviously couldn't tell him beforehand, because she was too impatient for his dick, right?
- She also just blurts out the truth in the most blunt and ungraceful way possible, and expects him to just...what, smile and give her a hug and a kiss?
- Yes, he was an idiot and he had said that nothing could make him love her less or some twaddle, but she KNEW that the promise was a love-addled hyperbole - why else did she wait even longer to come clean?
- He was justifiably angry in my opinion, but Heaven forbid that anyone else agree - and let's just throw his mistakes at him to make him feel even more shitty
- He didn't actually ever say that he didn't love her anymore, or that he wanted to end things, or that she was fired, or that he wouldn't help her - these were all things that she ASSUMED (and so had no reason to be so pissed at him)
- If she still wanted him to help, why not ask outright instead of passive-aggressively trying to bully him into doing it?
- I can't even tell you how outraged I was that DYLAN apologised (with no sign of self-awareness or reciprocity on her end)
And at this point we get to another rage-inducing plot point:
3. WHY DO THESE SO-CALLED HEROINES ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS WANT TO TAG ALONG ON THE RESCUE/RETRIEVAL MISSION? Like, you're just not gonna be as helpful (unless you're a Mary Sue, I guess, which is a whole 'nother literary crime), you'll be a distraction at best and a potential victim or hostage at worst, and you'll slow everyone down.
> Dylan had forgiven her for her subterfuges, and she had forgiven him for judging her, but sometimes, forgiveness was not enough.
Has she?
> "Then refuse the assignment," Lydia said. "Tell the ladies to recruit one of your cousins, to impose on Mr. Dorning, to put off the outing until you are feeling more the thing. Tell them you need to rest, that a pressing business matter has come up. They are not your commanding officers, Dylan - you are your commanding officer now - and the British Museumn will sit at the exact same location tomorrow."
Uh huh. Sure. Tell the most duty-bound man in England to ditch his sisters...and it has nothing to do with him then having time to do what you want him to do for you, right?
Also, OKAY SIS. Is it not clear to everyone that you (and everyone else for some reason) think that you are his commanding officer?
> "Tremont is Mrs. Lovelace's younger brother," Dylan said. “She is very concerned for him, and that means [...] I have been an ass, and the only way I know to make amends to Mrs. Lovelace is to put things right with her brother."
What?
Did he ever do anything to her brother? Did he ever cast aspersions on him that weren't true or based in truth? Why was he the ass?
...
Okay. I must say that I did not see that plot twist coming - and some of the characters were actually quite likeable (responsible men that look after their friends and family are always welcome), and so I'll throw in an extra star.
You might enjoy this book if you're into lots of angst, lies, overly humble lovers, fierce Welsh women, and villainous extended family, this may work for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2022
The blurb for this book is a bit over-simplified but still an accurate if not adequate hint about the story's content. I've really enjoyed this series, Mischief in Mayfair and this book follows the logical progression of the three cousins' stories. In each one we get a romance, each fraught with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and in each story the solution has both the hero and heroine working on their own troubles and challenges as well as each other's. I liked this aspect of each story.
This is Dylan Powell and Lydia Lovelace's story. As with all the other reviews and the blurb you know that Dylan is still trying to do his duty to the men that served under him as they all served under a tyrant of a superior officer who delighted in severe punishment and deliberately putting them, most especially Powell, in harm's way in an egregious waste of human lives. We also know Lydia is trying to find her brother who according to reports survived the war, returned to London but never returned home. And as Lydia, her inheritance, her mother and her brother's estate are in danger of disappearing due to a greedy incompetent Uncle wanting her brother declared dead, and an equally greedy but an even more dishonest cousin wanting all of the above for himself, Lydia is racing against time.
There are a couple of underlying themes in this story. One theme is that when one has set a goal for themselves for whatever reason, and working toward that goal with such focus that their own blinders prohibit them from picking up on clues all along the way that would help them figure out what is really going on around them, they usually end up stumbling into some huge mess of their own making. In this story for one of those people who display this blindness 'the huge mess' is nearly fatal.
It may have been a slight exaggeration to label the following as an underlying theme because it is a recurring theme in much of Burrowes' books, and that is the historical powerlessness that women experienced in those times, but of course also throughout history. And yet, none of the heroines in this series are shrinking violets, staying at home and embroidering pillow covers. In Dignified, Lydia has found a way to stay in London where she can make inquiries about her brother, by becoming a housekeeper. But she has also discovered something else for herself, taking over control of a house and keeping it clean and warm and well-provisioned has given her something she can control. That she earns some coin she can spend in any way she sees fit is a gift of freedom. As our two main characters come to respect each other for what they do, respect becomes fond regard and that becomes special interest.
As with so many of Burrowes' books, she uses a common 'language' to describe the actions and thoughts one or both of the main characters employs when dealing with the world around them. In Dignified, Powell has not been able to leave the war behind because he has not fulfilled his vow to see all of his men taken care of yet. He's still very much in a military mindset and sees the world around him in terms of military protocol, whether he is at home, or dealing with his visiting sisters, or playing cards with his cousins,....or thinking of his housekeeper's efficiency. This 'common language' is clever when you notice it. For example, all things horticultural breeding, as with Axel (The Jaded Gentleman, book #3.)
There is a lie in this story that some reviewers have spoken of. If you follow the story closely, this 'lie' is one of omission and its owner had repeatedly tried to reveal on multiple occasions. And it was not a lying action throughout the book. Lydia comes to realize the brother she is searching for has a very bad reputation in Powell's opinion. Now what is she to do? The 'lie' was in my opinion, a plot device used to bring the loose trails together to a crisis. And it worked. But the painful part was not the lie, but the reaction. Again, in my opinion.
The ending was very satisfying. The villain got his just rewards. The blinded would regain their sight. The H&h get their HEA.
This is Dylan Powell and Lydia Lovelace's story. As with all the other reviews and the blurb you know that Dylan is still trying to do his duty to the men that served under him as they all served under a tyrant of a superior officer who delighted in severe punishment and deliberately putting them, most especially Powell, in harm's way in an egregious waste of human lives. We also know Lydia is trying to find her brother who according to reports survived the war, returned to London but never returned home. And as Lydia, her inheritance, her mother and her brother's estate are in danger of disappearing due to a greedy incompetent Uncle wanting her brother declared dead, and an equally greedy but an even more dishonest cousin wanting all of the above for himself, Lydia is racing against time.
There are a couple of underlying themes in this story. One theme is that when one has set a goal for themselves for whatever reason, and working toward that goal with such focus that their own blinders prohibit them from picking up on clues all along the way that would help them figure out what is really going on around them, they usually end up stumbling into some huge mess of their own making. In this story for one of those people who display this blindness 'the huge mess' is nearly fatal.
It may have been a slight exaggeration to label the following as an underlying theme because it is a recurring theme in much of Burrowes' books, and that is the historical powerlessness that women experienced in those times, but of course also throughout history. And yet, none of the heroines in this series are shrinking violets, staying at home and embroidering pillow covers. In Dignified, Lydia has found a way to stay in London where she can make inquiries about her brother, by becoming a housekeeper. But she has also discovered something else for herself, taking over control of a house and keeping it clean and warm and well-provisioned has given her something she can control. That she earns some coin she can spend in any way she sees fit is a gift of freedom. As our two main characters come to respect each other for what they do, respect becomes fond regard and that becomes special interest.
As with so many of Burrowes' books, she uses a common 'language' to describe the actions and thoughts one or both of the main characters employs when dealing with the world around them. In Dignified, Powell has not been able to leave the war behind because he has not fulfilled his vow to see all of his men taken care of yet. He's still very much in a military mindset and sees the world around him in terms of military protocol, whether he is at home, or dealing with his visiting sisters, or playing cards with his cousins,....or thinking of his housekeeper's efficiency. This 'common language' is clever when you notice it. For example, all things horticultural breeding, as with Axel (The Jaded Gentleman, book #3.)
There is a lie in this story that some reviewers have spoken of. If you follow the story closely, this 'lie' is one of omission and its owner had repeatedly tried to reveal on multiple occasions. And it was not a lying action throughout the book. Lydia comes to realize the brother she is searching for has a very bad reputation in Powell's opinion. Now what is she to do? The 'lie' was in my opinion, a plot device used to bring the loose trails together to a crisis. And it worked. But the painful part was not the lie, but the reaction. Again, in my opinion.
The ending was very satisfying. The villain got his just rewards. The blinded would regain their sight. The H&h get their HEA.
December 16, 2021
🧵 Miss Dignified 🧵
Mischief in Mayfair Book Three
✒️ Grace Burrowes
https://www.facebook.com/Grace-Burrow...
Release Date 01/04/2022 retailers, 12/14/2021 author’s shop
Publisher Grace Burrowes Publishing
➪ https://graceburrowes.com/bookshelf/m...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Lydia Lovelace has taken the housekeeper’s post in the London home of Captain Dylan Powell. The captain is short on charm, but he’s known for his rapport with, and support of, former soldiers trying to make a peacetime life in London. Unbeknownst to the captain, Lydia is searching for a brother who never came home after Waterloo, a brother whose birthright, along with Lydia’s settlements, is being frittered away by scheming family members.
Dylan has never viewed his home as much more than a place to take meals and sleep out of the wet while he finds paying work and good positions for his former subordinates. The new housekeeper is changing all of that, bringing comfort and tranquility to Dylan’s domicile and to his days. When Dylan and Lydia begin to explore pleasures shared in the night, Lydia realizes she will have to choose between loyalty to her long-lost brother and a future with the captain who has stolen her heart.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will her deception harm beyond repair their relationship…
So finally here is Dylan’s tale.
After reading his two cousins’ romances, I was much curious after my reading of the tasty first chapter offered in the last book.
I so loved how the army vocabulary is detourned by Powell in his speeches or actions.
After Godard and his boys, MacKay and his ladies, it is Powell and his soldiers.
Dylan who never really stopped to be the army man the crown’s penny made him, as an officer he protects and regroups his troops, unable to let a man behind, wounded or not. He even became his reason to be, his lifeline, so much, he does not know how to be the man without the red coat.
Until he becomes entranced by his housekeeper, a woman cloaked in shadows and secrets, but one who sees the loneliness in him.
Lydia landed into Powell’s home under false pretense, she is not in hiding but researching. Her brother, an officer who never cam home, and with his absence, her world has been upended, so she needs to find him or his whereabouts to determine which course of action to follow. If only her brother had been one of the men under Powell’s protection, instead of one of those officers. So alone, she looks for him.
She is a woman everyone relies on but no one heeds. Seen, yet not acknowledged. But for once, someone looks at her, and asks what she wants. Alas knowing she has not been completely trustworthy with her employer, it puts her relationship with Dylan at stake.
Those two are so sweet together, Dylan is a man of honor and respectful. While Lydia is as much righteous and diligent than him. But how these two stubborn beings will face their own flaws and failing when the truth come out…
Both are shrouded by friends and family who care for them, even if it is clumsily.
And as the author has a knack for them, she includes a scheming villain I was more than happy to watch her his right comeuppance.
Like the two previous books, another lovely tale of the power love give to people, in shredding one’s blinders, they embrace the wholeness of the other, errors and strength.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene.
I am happy to know there will be more to this series. But six more months before the next.
https://www.instagram.com/elodiesread...
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2021read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
Mischief in Mayfair Book Three
✒️ Grace Burrowes
https://www.facebook.com/Grace-Burrow...
Release Date 01/04/2022 retailers, 12/14/2021 author’s shop
Publisher Grace Burrowes Publishing
➪ https://graceburrowes.com/bookshelf/m...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Lydia Lovelace has taken the housekeeper’s post in the London home of Captain Dylan Powell. The captain is short on charm, but he’s known for his rapport with, and support of, former soldiers trying to make a peacetime life in London. Unbeknownst to the captain, Lydia is searching for a brother who never came home after Waterloo, a brother whose birthright, along with Lydia’s settlements, is being frittered away by scheming family members.
Dylan has never viewed his home as much more than a place to take meals and sleep out of the wet while he finds paying work and good positions for his former subordinates. The new housekeeper is changing all of that, bringing comfort and tranquility to Dylan’s domicile and to his days. When Dylan and Lydia begin to explore pleasures shared in the night, Lydia realizes she will have to choose between loyalty to her long-lost brother and a future with the captain who has stolen her heart.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will her deception harm beyond repair their relationship…
So finally here is Dylan’s tale.
After reading his two cousins’ romances, I was much curious after my reading of the tasty first chapter offered in the last book.
I so loved how the army vocabulary is detourned by Powell in his speeches or actions.
After Godard and his boys, MacKay and his ladies, it is Powell and his soldiers.
Dylan who never really stopped to be the army man the crown’s penny made him, as an officer he protects and regroups his troops, unable to let a man behind, wounded or not. He even became his reason to be, his lifeline, so much, he does not know how to be the man without the red coat.
Until he becomes entranced by his housekeeper, a woman cloaked in shadows and secrets, but one who sees the loneliness in him.
Lydia landed into Powell’s home under false pretense, she is not in hiding but researching. Her brother, an officer who never cam home, and with his absence, her world has been upended, so she needs to find him or his whereabouts to determine which course of action to follow. If only her brother had been one of the men under Powell’s protection, instead of one of those officers. So alone, she looks for him.
She is a woman everyone relies on but no one heeds. Seen, yet not acknowledged. But for once, someone looks at her, and asks what she wants. Alas knowing she has not been completely trustworthy with her employer, it puts her relationship with Dylan at stake.
Those two are so sweet together, Dylan is a man of honor and respectful. While Lydia is as much righteous and diligent than him. But how these two stubborn beings will face their own flaws and failing when the truth come out…
Both are shrouded by friends and family who care for them, even if it is clumsily.
And as the author has a knack for them, she includes a scheming villain I was more than happy to watch her his right comeuppance.
Like the two previous books, another lovely tale of the power love give to people, in shredding one’s blinders, they embrace the wholeness of the other, errors and strength.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene.
I am happy to know there will be more to this series. But six more months before the next.
https://www.instagram.com/elodiesread...
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2021read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
January 5, 2022
I'm always happy when a new Grace Burrowes book appears in my reader, and I was delighted to find out that the newest story is for Captain Dylan Powell, the last of the cousins from previous books. Dylan has been the quiet one of the military men, determined to place all of his soldiers who survived Waterloo into positions of worth for them rather than leave them on the streets. We've met his housekeeper, Mrs. Lydia Lovelace, in the previous books, who keeps his establishment comfortable with little touches that make his house a home. Lydia is more than she seems, on a mission of her own to find her brother who was 'lost' after the war ended. There's more to the story, but I don't want to spoil it.
This is a slow-burn romance between two lonely and lovely people, worn down by duty and honor intrinsic to themselves but unappreciated by those around them. Ms. Burrowes always portrays real people with faults and worries that often lead them astray. Dylan and Lydia have their share of miscommunications and falsehoods, well-meant but ultimately eroding their relationship. What I really loved was that the romance is resolved by finally talking to each other honestly without any deus ex machina like kidnapping or a duel. Matters are resolved quietly and competently. There's been a trend among some historical authors with story arcs of miscommunication separating the H/h and resolved by some dramatic event like a shoot-out or kidnapping rescue. I don't hate it but I am tired of it, and I appreciate the quieter, more realistic ending here.
Anyway, I loved the book. I do hope that Dylan's sisters will get their own books in the future.
This is a slow-burn romance between two lonely and lovely people, worn down by duty and honor intrinsic to themselves but unappreciated by those around them. Ms. Burrowes always portrays real people with faults and worries that often lead them astray. Dylan and Lydia have their share of miscommunications and falsehoods, well-meant but ultimately eroding their relationship. What I really loved was that the romance is resolved by finally talking to each other honestly without any deus ex machina like kidnapping or a duel. Matters are resolved quietly and competently. There's been a trend among some historical authors with story arcs of miscommunication separating the H/h and resolved by some dramatic event like a shoot-out or kidnapping rescue. I don't hate it but I am tired of it, and I appreciate the quieter, more realistic ending here.
Anyway, I loved the book. I do hope that Dylan's sisters will get their own books in the future.
May 2, 2023
This book doesn’t end the series but it does hand the third of the three very worthy cousins his happily-ever-after. All three cousins seem stunned to run across a woman who fits with their world and battle-scarred souls, and each treats his lady with anachronistic respect and care but, well, perhaps a guy is a little too sensitive when a woman has to grab him by his hair and yank him in for a firmer kiss? No?
Dylan is a lovely, weary man still carrying his horrendous war years on his back, and Lydia is a lovely, weary woman carrying the weight of a beleaguered family on her shoulders. There is a bad guy with an outlandishly elaborate long-game plot to steal a title and estate and trap Lydia in a hellish marriage, and a non-too-bright little brother to be found and rescued. All this moves along swimmingly—punctuated by lots of tea cakes and sexual overtures, because Grace Burrowes—until about the 70% mark, where the plot depends on almost everyone turning stupid: Dylan has to reject Lydia because she didn’t reveal her identity to him, Lydia and Dylan find her brother AND ASK HIM NOT ONE SINGLE PROBING QUESTION about his mulish determination to flee the country, the mother has to dither for a bit, but all that is moot when the bad guy obligingly blurts out his entire scheme to a total stranger while under the influence. Yes, all the difficulties resolve too tidily in the end. No, those violations to common sense aren’t egregious enough to knock a star off my rating.
P.S. Beef strip rosettes and dove-shaped mashed potatoes are just wasted on some people. I’m looking at you, Dylan.
Dylan is a lovely, weary man still carrying his horrendous war years on his back, and Lydia is a lovely, weary woman carrying the weight of a beleaguered family on her shoulders. There is a bad guy with an outlandishly elaborate long-game plot to steal a title and estate and trap Lydia in a hellish marriage, and a non-too-bright little brother to be found and rescued. All this moves along swimmingly—punctuated by lots of tea cakes and sexual overtures, because Grace Burrowes—until about the 70% mark, where the plot depends on almost everyone turning stupid: Dylan has to reject Lydia because she didn’t reveal her identity to him, Lydia and Dylan find her brother AND ASK HIM NOT ONE SINGLE PROBING QUESTION about his mulish determination to flee the country, the mother has to dither for a bit, but all that is moot when the bad guy obligingly blurts out his entire scheme to a total stranger while under the influence. Yes, all the difficulties resolve too tidily in the end. No, those violations to common sense aren’t egregious enough to knock a star off my rating.
P.S. Beef strip rosettes and dove-shaped mashed potatoes are just wasted on some people. I’m looking at you, Dylan.
May 18, 2025
A sweet, realistic, multilayered story
As usual with the author's work, the story has gentle humor and many relatable, sympathetic characters.
Watching them communicate with each other is fascinating. They observe everything about each other: speech, tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, movement, actions, and clothing. What they say, how they say it, what they don't say, their thoughts, and emotions are expertly rendered. How they perceive each other's characters, agendas, and motivations reveals key aspects of both parties. How they understand more than what is stated is marvelous. How they surprise each other with their perspicacity and revelations deepens and enriches their understanding of each other and themselves. And the readers' as well.
The story is rich and multilayered. There are unknowns and mysteries of different types. No one has all the information about anything or each other. Everyone has blind spots of character, incorrect assumptions, misperceptions, and unquestioned habits of thought and action. How they develop more accurate, less prejudiced, more appropriate approaches evolves naturally out of their characters and challenges, and confrontations with others. Taking responsibility, accepting truths, letting go of old beliefs, and communicating clearly and fully lead naturally to happy endings for most in this story.
The frequent use of military metaphors reveals much of the characters' war experiences and skills. The metaphors are always revealing, apt, and enjoyable. Even Miss Dignified finds herself thinking and speaking with them. Lol.
As usual with the author's work, the story has gentle humor and many relatable, sympathetic characters.
Watching them communicate with each other is fascinating. They observe everything about each other: speech, tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, movement, actions, and clothing. What they say, how they say it, what they don't say, their thoughts, and emotions are expertly rendered. How they perceive each other's characters, agendas, and motivations reveals key aspects of both parties. How they understand more than what is stated is marvelous. How they surprise each other with their perspicacity and revelations deepens and enriches their understanding of each other and themselves. And the readers' as well.
The story is rich and multilayered. There are unknowns and mysteries of different types. No one has all the information about anything or each other. Everyone has blind spots of character, incorrect assumptions, misperceptions, and unquestioned habits of thought and action. How they develop more accurate, less prejudiced, more appropriate approaches evolves naturally out of their characters and challenges, and confrontations with others. Taking responsibility, accepting truths, letting go of old beliefs, and communicating clearly and fully lead naturally to happy endings for most in this story.
The frequent use of military metaphors reveals much of the characters' war experiences and skills. The metaphors are always revealing, apt, and enjoyable. Even Miss Dignified finds herself thinking and speaking with them. Lol.
June 4, 2022
This title was among a group of books available from overdrive that I downloaded to my Kindle. Some of the characters names were familiar, so apparently I have read some of this series before.
This story is about Lady Lydia, sister and daughter of an Earl, who runs away to Town (London, of course) and takes a job as housekeeper for a Welsh former army officer. She is in Town under an alias to look for her missing brother.
That is the premise of the story. The reader is never told how Lydia is hired for this position. She and her employer have a very unusual relationship--they eat breakfast together in the breakfast room--and soon they are involved romantically.
The narrative is full of military talk which soon overwhelms the story. Every action becomes a pseudo military maneuver. It became ridiculous and annoying.
I finished the book, so I am giving it two stars since I reserve one star for the DNF pile of junk. This book is a good example of why I do not like romance books--so much unpalatable drivel.
Now I am curious what I said about previous books in this series.
This story is about Lady Lydia, sister and daughter of an Earl, who runs away to Town (London, of course) and takes a job as housekeeper for a Welsh former army officer. She is in Town under an alias to look for her missing brother.
That is the premise of the story. The reader is never told how Lydia is hired for this position. She and her employer have a very unusual relationship--they eat breakfast together in the breakfast room--and soon they are involved romantically.
The narrative is full of military talk which soon overwhelms the story. Every action becomes a pseudo military maneuver. It became ridiculous and annoying.
I finished the book, so I am giving it two stars since I reserve one star for the DNF pile of junk. This book is a good example of why I do not like romance books--so much unpalatable drivel.
Now I am curious what I said about previous books in this series.
March 14, 2022
Of the three in this series this is probably my favourite, although I may have said the same of the first two books.
We've met Captain Dylan Powell in the first two books, as he's cousin to the two leads in those books. He served under Wellington, and but for an odious commander would have ended up very high ranking. In returning to London, he's not just concerned about his cousins, but also with returning soldiers injured and jobless, and goes out of his way to help them.
Dylan's house keeper Lydia Lovelace, has turned his house into a home, and made his life so much easier, but she has a secret, she's looking for her brother who served in belgium, survived Waterloo, but hasn't come home.
This isn't just a romance and I enjoyed the side story, made the book stand out from so many other romances. Loved that we meet one of my favourite Dornings who happens to be married to Dylan's cousin.
We've met Captain Dylan Powell in the first two books, as he's cousin to the two leads in those books. He served under Wellington, and but for an odious commander would have ended up very high ranking. In returning to London, he's not just concerned about his cousins, but also with returning soldiers injured and jobless, and goes out of his way to help them.
Dylan's house keeper Lydia Lovelace, has turned his house into a home, and made his life so much easier, but she has a secret, she's looking for her brother who served in belgium, survived Waterloo, but hasn't come home.
This isn't just a romance and I enjoyed the side story, made the book stand out from so many other romances. Loved that we meet one of my favourite Dornings who happens to be married to Dylan's cousin.
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