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The Ellsworth Assortment #1
Tempted by Folly
Florence Ellsworth reluctantly lives in the shadow of her family’s notoriety. Mortified that her widower father is on the hunt for his fourth wife, she accepts an engagement to a staid clergyman in the desperate hope for propriety. But she’s unprepared when her sire’s newly hired attorney proves to be young, sincere, and handsome. Robert Fairchild feels a bit awkward in society. Aware of how his modest background is perceived, the humble lawyer is surprised by his longings when he gains the confidence of his client’s lovely daughter. But with her already betrothed to another, he dares not be dishonorable by confessing his interest and losing her respect. Disturbed by her growing feelings for the charming solicitor, Florence works all the harder to find the appeal in her sober intended husband. Meanwhile Fairchild is inadvertently pulled into a lady’s schemes and fears any chance with the object of his affection has been forever lost. Will they find a way out of their tender traps to capture happily ever after? Tempted by Folly is the delightful first book in The Ellsworth Assortment clean Regency romance series. If you like sparkling personalities, witty dialogue, and endearing couples, then you’ll adore Christina Dudley’s swoonworthy novel.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2022
458 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Christina Dudley
28 books266 followersChristina Hwang Dudley is the author of clean historical and contemporary romance.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
April 17, 2025
man of the house (eldest daughter)
September 24, 2022
This book was a joy to read. I had a smile on my face from the opening moment, when the irrepressible Lily talks about her sister’s betrothed as ‘the Dreadful Mr Gregory’ to the final scene of the hero and heroine at last in each other’s arms.
Here’s the premise: Miss Florence Ellsworth has grown up in a family made notorious by her father’s many marriages and assortment of children by different mothers, not all equally loving. She’s determined not to follow the same route, and with her mother’s advice to follow her head not her heart uppermost in her mind, she betroths herself to a dull clergyman, and looks forward to a blessedly uneventful future. But her stepmother (wife number three) dies and immediately Mr Ellsworth is looking about him for a fourth wife, another scandal in the making. And then there’s the new attorney, who’s handsome and young and oh so tempting to Florence. And who is the widowed Mrs Whisp, and what does she want?
As far as plot goes, that’s about it, but with Dudley’s books, everything hinges on the characters and the way they interact with each other. Florence herself is lovely, and Mr Fairchild a hero worthy of her. Then there’s Mr Gregory, who is an awesome character, with his puffed out chest that makes him look like a woodpigeon, and his booming clergyman’s voice. There are so many awesome characters here. Miss Gregory, his faded sister. Florence’s sisters, Lily, the outspoken opposite of Florence, Minta, who likes to shoot things (her friend, mainly), and crying Bea. The sunnily wife-chasing Mr Ellsworth. Miss Dunn, the reclusive governess. Mrs Whisp, the rapacious widow. Very different from each other, but all memorable and all busily engaged in pursuing their own objectives.
Florence’s primary objective is to rein in her father’s wife-hunting. She calls on Mr Fairchild, the new attorney, to ask him to do what he can to steer Mr Ellsworth into respectable life as a widower instead. Mr Fairchild is delighted by the prospect of spending more time with the charming Miss Ellsworth, but it’s a difficult task to undertake when Mr Ellsworth is one of his principal clients, and he doesn’t want to get on the wrong side of him. On the other hand, he’d like to please Miss Ellsworth. Sadly, Mr Ellsworth is not a man to be steered, and almost before his late wife is cold in her grave he’s advertising for a governess for the youngest child. Since his previous two wives started as the family’s governesses, Florence can see exactly where this is going to end. And if the governess isn’t quick off the mark, she’ll be out-manoeuvred by the brazen Mrs Whisp, who knows exactly what she wants and sets out determinedly to get it. All Mr Fairchild can do is try to control the selection process for the governess, and suggest legal ways to keep the bulk of the Ellsworth fortune out of the hands of avaricious women.
And all the time, Florence is trying to convince herself that her choice of husband is the right one. Florence is precisely the sort of heroine who must have been everywhere at the time, and her dilemma a common one. Living out in the country, her choice of potential husbands is limited. If she fails to marry, she becomes the spinster dwindling into old age in her father’s home, or looking after her sibling’s children, or she slips out of the gentry altogether as a governess or paid companion. The chance of finding a suitable husband, in rank and fortune, is very small, so if someone offers, it’s very risky to refuse in the hope there’ll be a better offer later. And Mr Gregory is so very respectable, and her present home so rackety…
But… There’s always a but. The handsome and young Mr Fairchild is everything a young lady could wish for, but Florence is betrothed, and she can’t do anything as scandalous as jilting the boring clergyman in the hope that the nice young attorney will look her way. What to do? Try to summon some enthusiasm for her betrothed, that’s what. And surely she’d be happier if her not very passionate lover actually kissed her? And here we get to one of the funniest scenes in a book full of funny scenes, which I won’t spoil by telling you anything more about it.
It’s obvious from the first moment how the story will end, but how that ending is reached is an absolute delight, with any number of twists and revelations along the way. Nothing about a Dudley book is ever predictable, and so although I guessed one very crucial secret, there were plenty of other developments that took me by surprise. And it thrilled me that the final obstacle between hero and heroine is an utterly Regency one, the chains of propriety holding them fast, even though in modern terms there was nothing to keep them apart. The way this is resolved is elegant and pleased me greatly. One other very personal point: it’s common in modern Regencies to end with a long-drawn-out epilogue, and sometimes that’s appropriate, but here the story comes to a close with the final romantic moments between hero and heroine, and to me that felt utterly right.
This is a wonderful book, beautifully written on every level. It’s literate (watch out for the sly references to Emma and also the Barchester series), witty and very moving. I loved every word of it. Christina Dudley has a unique talent and I recommend this and all her books to fans of traditional Regency romance. This is a great start to the new series. Five stars.
Note: I received an advanced copy from the author, but that didn't affect my opinion.
Here’s the premise: Miss Florence Ellsworth has grown up in a family made notorious by her father’s many marriages and assortment of children by different mothers, not all equally loving. She’s determined not to follow the same route, and with her mother’s advice to follow her head not her heart uppermost in her mind, she betroths herself to a dull clergyman, and looks forward to a blessedly uneventful future. But her stepmother (wife number three) dies and immediately Mr Ellsworth is looking about him for a fourth wife, another scandal in the making. And then there’s the new attorney, who’s handsome and young and oh so tempting to Florence. And who is the widowed Mrs Whisp, and what does she want?
As far as plot goes, that’s about it, but with Dudley’s books, everything hinges on the characters and the way they interact with each other. Florence herself is lovely, and Mr Fairchild a hero worthy of her. Then there’s Mr Gregory, who is an awesome character, with his puffed out chest that makes him look like a woodpigeon, and his booming clergyman’s voice. There are so many awesome characters here. Miss Gregory, his faded sister. Florence’s sisters, Lily, the outspoken opposite of Florence, Minta, who likes to shoot things (her friend, mainly), and crying Bea. The sunnily wife-chasing Mr Ellsworth. Miss Dunn, the reclusive governess. Mrs Whisp, the rapacious widow. Very different from each other, but all memorable and all busily engaged in pursuing their own objectives.
Florence’s primary objective is to rein in her father’s wife-hunting. She calls on Mr Fairchild, the new attorney, to ask him to do what he can to steer Mr Ellsworth into respectable life as a widower instead. Mr Fairchild is delighted by the prospect of spending more time with the charming Miss Ellsworth, but it’s a difficult task to undertake when Mr Ellsworth is one of his principal clients, and he doesn’t want to get on the wrong side of him. On the other hand, he’d like to please Miss Ellsworth. Sadly, Mr Ellsworth is not a man to be steered, and almost before his late wife is cold in her grave he’s advertising for a governess for the youngest child. Since his previous two wives started as the family’s governesses, Florence can see exactly where this is going to end. And if the governess isn’t quick off the mark, she’ll be out-manoeuvred by the brazen Mrs Whisp, who knows exactly what she wants and sets out determinedly to get it. All Mr Fairchild can do is try to control the selection process for the governess, and suggest legal ways to keep the bulk of the Ellsworth fortune out of the hands of avaricious women.
And all the time, Florence is trying to convince herself that her choice of husband is the right one. Florence is precisely the sort of heroine who must have been everywhere at the time, and her dilemma a common one. Living out in the country, her choice of potential husbands is limited. If she fails to marry, she becomes the spinster dwindling into old age in her father’s home, or looking after her sibling’s children, or she slips out of the gentry altogether as a governess or paid companion. The chance of finding a suitable husband, in rank and fortune, is very small, so if someone offers, it’s very risky to refuse in the hope there’ll be a better offer later. And Mr Gregory is so very respectable, and her present home so rackety…
But… There’s always a but. The handsome and young Mr Fairchild is everything a young lady could wish for, but Florence is betrothed, and she can’t do anything as scandalous as jilting the boring clergyman in the hope that the nice young attorney will look her way. What to do? Try to summon some enthusiasm for her betrothed, that’s what. And surely she’d be happier if her not very passionate lover actually kissed her? And here we get to one of the funniest scenes in a book full of funny scenes, which I won’t spoil by telling you anything more about it.
It’s obvious from the first moment how the story will end, but how that ending is reached is an absolute delight, with any number of twists and revelations along the way. Nothing about a Dudley book is ever predictable, and so although I guessed one very crucial secret, there were plenty of other developments that took me by surprise. And it thrilled me that the final obstacle between hero and heroine is an utterly Regency one, the chains of propriety holding them fast, even though in modern terms there was nothing to keep them apart. The way this is resolved is elegant and pleased me greatly. One other very personal point: it’s common in modern Regencies to end with a long-drawn-out epilogue, and sometimes that’s appropriate, but here the story comes to a close with the final romantic moments between hero and heroine, and to me that felt utterly right.
This is a wonderful book, beautifully written on every level. It’s literate (watch out for the sly references to Emma and also the Barchester series), witty and very moving. I loved every word of it. Christina Dudley has a unique talent and I recommend this and all her books to fans of traditional Regency romance. This is a great start to the new series. Five stars.
Note: I received an advanced copy from the author, but that didn't affect my opinion.
September 7, 2023
A Family Saga Is Introduced with a Serial Bridegroom
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
SERIES: The Ellsworth Assortment #1
TYPE OF NOVEL: Traditional Regency Romance
THE PREMISE: Meet the Ellsworths – a family of five children from three different mothers but all the same father. Even though it wasn’t too long ago that he buried his third wife, it seems like Papa Ellsworth is eager to enter the married state again. But eldest daughter, Florence, is determined to do everything she can to help the family maintain some semblance of respectability. Will trying to prevent her father from marrying again help or harm her own reputation…?
MY THOUGHTS: A new series by Christina Dudley! As a devoted fan of her first Regency family saga series – The Hapgoods of Bramleigh – I was elated to hear that Christina Dudley is embarking on another series with a different family and a whole new set of interesting family dynamics and personalities!
Having read seven books by Christina Dudley already, I knew going into this story that I was sure to encounter a diverting array of characters who are likable, humorous, and endearing. And I was not wrong. Christina Dudley has a special talent for creating characters who are authentic, engaging, and developed. In this first installment of the series we are introduced to the whole Ellsworth assortment – including some of their staff and even their feisty terrier, Snap. I loved learning about everyones’ quirks and foibles and seeing their personalities introduced. I’m looking forward to seeing each character develop and have their turn being featured.
Speaking of…I really enjoyed the characters featured in Tempted by Folly. Florence reminds me of a mix between Elinor Dashwood and Charlotte Lucas – she is responsible, tries to take charge and help manage her family, and strives to make a respectable and prudent choice with her marriage. Her fiancé, Mr. Gregory, is all starch and obtuseness, while her father’s toxic trait is that he habitually marries whoever he hires as a governess. And then we have Mr. Robert Fairchild, who is a new solicitor appointed to manage Mr. Ellsworth affairs. I loved Robert! He was everything honorable and thoughtful, yet full of yearning and deeply felt affection.
With father and daughter at crossed purposes, potential love triangles, and covert missions and schemes forming there is plenty of excitement and drama afoot in this tale! I enjoyed the couple of surprise twists employed – some I definitely didn’t see coming! In addition, I loved seeing the internal tension and conflict escalate for both Florence and Mr. Fairchild. Their attraction and admiration for each other develops swiftly, but sadly has no hope of fruition. It is interesting to see how both characters react to this realization and what they do with their feelings.
Rich with endearing characters, family drama, and unexpected twists – Tempted By Folly is a wonderfully entertaining introduction to Christina Dudley’s new series! I cannot wait to see what dilemmas and delights befall this family next! Book Two – The Belle of Winchester and Book Three – Minta in Spite of Herself are already available! Huzzah!
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
SERIES: The Ellsworth Assortment #1
TYPE OF NOVEL: Traditional Regency Romance
THE PREMISE: Meet the Ellsworths – a family of five children from three different mothers but all the same father. Even though it wasn’t too long ago that he buried his third wife, it seems like Papa Ellsworth is eager to enter the married state again. But eldest daughter, Florence, is determined to do everything she can to help the family maintain some semblance of respectability. Will trying to prevent her father from marrying again help or harm her own reputation…?
MY THOUGHTS: A new series by Christina Dudley! As a devoted fan of her first Regency family saga series – The Hapgoods of Bramleigh – I was elated to hear that Christina Dudley is embarking on another series with a different family and a whole new set of interesting family dynamics and personalities!
Having read seven books by Christina Dudley already, I knew going into this story that I was sure to encounter a diverting array of characters who are likable, humorous, and endearing. And I was not wrong. Christina Dudley has a special talent for creating characters who are authentic, engaging, and developed. In this first installment of the series we are introduced to the whole Ellsworth assortment – including some of their staff and even their feisty terrier, Snap. I loved learning about everyones’ quirks and foibles and seeing their personalities introduced. I’m looking forward to seeing each character develop and have their turn being featured.
Speaking of…I really enjoyed the characters featured in Tempted by Folly. Florence reminds me of a mix between Elinor Dashwood and Charlotte Lucas – she is responsible, tries to take charge and help manage her family, and strives to make a respectable and prudent choice with her marriage. Her fiancé, Mr. Gregory, is all starch and obtuseness, while her father’s toxic trait is that he habitually marries whoever he hires as a governess. And then we have Mr. Robert Fairchild, who is a new solicitor appointed to manage Mr. Ellsworth affairs. I loved Robert! He was everything honorable and thoughtful, yet full of yearning and deeply felt affection.
With father and daughter at crossed purposes, potential love triangles, and covert missions and schemes forming there is plenty of excitement and drama afoot in this tale! I enjoyed the couple of surprise twists employed – some I definitely didn’t see coming! In addition, I loved seeing the internal tension and conflict escalate for both Florence and Mr. Fairchild. Their attraction and admiration for each other develops swiftly, but sadly has no hope of fruition. It is interesting to see how both characters react to this realization and what they do with their feelings.
Rich with endearing characters, family drama, and unexpected twists – Tempted By Folly is a wonderfully entertaining introduction to Christina Dudley’s new series! I cannot wait to see what dilemmas and delights befall this family next! Book Two – The Belle of Winchester and Book Three – Minta in Spite of Herself are already available! Huzzah!
Austenesque Reviews
January 22, 2024
3.75
A really good regency romance. I adore the genre and to read Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters, but I never tried a book that aspires to those kind of feels and styles from a contemporary author and this book was a nice surprise.
Was it perfect? No. Was there some over the top drama? Yes. Did I read almost all of it in one sitting because I couldn't stop and was incredibly engaged? Hell yes.
A really good regency romance. I adore the genre and to read Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters, but I never tried a book that aspires to those kind of feels and styles from a contemporary author and this book was a nice surprise.
Was it perfect? No. Was there some over the top drama? Yes. Did I read almost all of it in one sitting because I couldn't stop and was incredibly engaged? Hell yes.
February 25, 2024
I wince at the term "clean" being used to describe Regency romances like this one. It sounds uncomfortably self righteous and priggish,though I know it's meant to separate them from the bodice ripper branch of the genre. That said, while Christina Dudley is no Georgette Heyer, never mind Jane Austen, her books promise me the same sort of fun I get from those of Mary Kingswood, and I can get a batch of them via Kindle Unlimited. AND she gets extra points for a wedding scene here that has elements of the Marx Brothers!
February 19, 2025
What a pleasure to discover an author who writes well researched regency romances, where characters' behaviour and speech match the time period! Add to that a unique and captivating storyline, and the 5* should come as no surprise.
I actually listened to the audiobook - excellent narrator - but that edition doesn't show up on Goodreads...
I actually listened to the audiobook - excellent narrator - but that edition doesn't show up on Goodreads...
January 31, 2024
Sweet, old-fashioned Regency romance. More Austenian than Heyer-ish in terms of setting and plot (small town, ordinary people), but more Heyer-ish than Austenian in terms of writing and tone (lots of detail, not satirical, etc).
This didn't feel extraordinary in any way, and there were multiple parts that had me cringing...and yet I also feel super invested in this family now, and I intend to read the whole series (and check out other books by Dudley), so... take from all that what you will, I guess.
This didn't feel extraordinary in any way, and there were multiple parts that had me cringing...and yet I also feel super invested in this family now, and I intend to read the whole series (and check out other books by Dudley), so... take from all that what you will, I guess.
July 30, 2023
Cute! Lots of drama and some comedic moments. Wish there had been more time with Flossie/Fairchild to have some cute moments but I did love this family and will be reading more of their stories (especially Minta!! I love her!!!)
December 30, 2023
Whenever I need a good Regency, Christina Dudley always comes through!!! Tempted by Folly is a traditional Regency without being stilted or stuffy. There's plenty of heart, but behind the proper etiquette, of course.
October 29, 2025
2.5
This was a page turner, but I can’t say I -enjoyed- it.
Everyone was unhappy and on a collision course with permanent misery for most of the book. But the worst part was that all of the characters just passively continued on. It required deus ex machina - a random act or person to change things. Except these problems weren’t unsolvable.
Spoilers:
Florence’s attitude regarding Mr. Gregory was disappointing. I understand wanting a respectable man because of your family’s reputation. But she took her mothers advice (from the memory of a child), possibly incomplete and out of context, too far. She would have made an extremely foolish decision if left to her own devices, because she and Gregory did not suit! Heart/love didn’t have to have anything to do with it. But they were not well matched. He accidentally offended her all the time, they argued, he didn’t listen, they didn’t understand one another. That should have been reason enough.
She watered down his actions and let him off the hook by saying she’d already been having second thoughts.
I hated that Mr. Gregory let her take the public blame. He wasn’t so respectable after all was he? 😑
Fairchild should have told her how he felt when he knew he wanted to marry her. I’m not saying he should have acted on those feelings. But just said something. It’s a permanent life decision - you’ve got to speak up.
He definitely needed to speak up when Mrs. Whisp accosted him. I don’t think it’s honorable to protect her reputation at the cost of truth and Florence’s feelings. And Mrs. Whisp was not remorseful. And she didn’t care if he said anything. This problem was entirely contrived and I felt every inch of it.
Don’t even get me started on their father. 😑 the complete lack of care for his daughters. Being such a determined fool. I felt so much anxiety for their unstable home life.
Most of the book was just unhappy. I will give the second one a try because Lily was a bright spot of humor, sense and practicality. And their father is married so that nonsense should stop.
But I will say, I loved the Bramleigh series so much. But if the author doesn’t stop using cheating tropes as romance (I’m engaged, promised, etc, and falling in love with someone else ) I may have to move on.
This was a page turner, but I can’t say I -enjoyed- it.
Everyone was unhappy and on a collision course with permanent misery for most of the book. But the worst part was that all of the characters just passively continued on. It required deus ex machina - a random act or person to change things. Except these problems weren’t unsolvable.
Spoilers:
Florence’s attitude regarding Mr. Gregory was disappointing. I understand wanting a respectable man because of your family’s reputation. But she took her mothers advice (from the memory of a child), possibly incomplete and out of context, too far. She would have made an extremely foolish decision if left to her own devices, because she and Gregory did not suit! Heart/love didn’t have to have anything to do with it. But they were not well matched. He accidentally offended her all the time, they argued, he didn’t listen, they didn’t understand one another. That should have been reason enough.
She watered down his actions and let him off the hook by saying she’d already been having second thoughts.
I hated that Mr. Gregory let her take the public blame. He wasn’t so respectable after all was he? 😑
Fairchild should have told her how he felt when he knew he wanted to marry her. I’m not saying he should have acted on those feelings. But just said something. It’s a permanent life decision - you’ve got to speak up.
He definitely needed to speak up when Mrs. Whisp accosted him. I don’t think it’s honorable to protect her reputation at the cost of truth and Florence’s feelings. And Mrs. Whisp was not remorseful. And she didn’t care if he said anything. This problem was entirely contrived and I felt every inch of it.
Don’t even get me started on their father. 😑 the complete lack of care for his daughters. Being such a determined fool. I felt so much anxiety for their unstable home life.
Most of the book was just unhappy. I will give the second one a try because Lily was a bright spot of humor, sense and practicality. And their father is married so that nonsense should stop.
But I will say, I loved the Bramleigh series so much. But if the author doesn’t stop using cheating tropes as romance (I’m engaged, promised, etc, and falling in love with someone else ) I may have to move on.
April 9, 2025
It is not often I feel a book deserves 5 stars—not that I’m overly picky, but 5 stars should really mean something, right? And it’s even less often that I feel compelled to leave a review, even though I know I really should do so more often. But this book merits both the rating and the review.
I have read more than my fair share of clean, Regency-era (ish) romance, and this book stands out in the genre. It is my first by this author, and I can’t wait to read more. The characters are well-developed and delightful. Even the bad ones are so well-written that you can’t help but love to hate them. The story is a romance, but not only a romance—the family dynamic of the Ellsworths plays a central part in the story. (I feel this is missing from many modern romances, as if the only function of the family, or any other side characters, is to push the romance along. It makes for a rather bland book.) The Ellsworths are sweetly dysfunctional and downright funny; their story could stand on its own without the romance. The dialogue is witty and engaging. I laughed aloud in several places, which does not happen to me very often. The plot had its share of twists and turns, including an unexpected but hilarious scene at the end. The HEA is just what it should be.
And to cap it all off: there were no grammatical errors that I could detect in the book, and no irritating anachronistic language use. No book would get 5 stars from me without those issues well in hand.
I have not looked ahead to see what other books are in the series, but I am looking forward to diving into the stories of whichever other family members get their own books. I particularly hope that Araminta is one!
I have read more than my fair share of clean, Regency-era (ish) romance, and this book stands out in the genre. It is my first by this author, and I can’t wait to read more. The characters are well-developed and delightful. Even the bad ones are so well-written that you can’t help but love to hate them. The story is a romance, but not only a romance—the family dynamic of the Ellsworths plays a central part in the story. (I feel this is missing from many modern romances, as if the only function of the family, or any other side characters, is to push the romance along. It makes for a rather bland book.) The Ellsworths are sweetly dysfunctional and downright funny; their story could stand on its own without the romance. The dialogue is witty and engaging. I laughed aloud in several places, which does not happen to me very often. The plot had its share of twists and turns, including an unexpected but hilarious scene at the end. The HEA is just what it should be.
And to cap it all off: there were no grammatical errors that I could detect in the book, and no irritating anachronistic language use. No book would get 5 stars from me without those issues well in hand.
I have not looked ahead to see what other books are in the series, but I am looking forward to diving into the stories of whichever other family members get their own books. I particularly hope that Araminta is one!
September 29, 2022
I discovered this book through reading Mary Kingswood blog. I know that I can trust her opinion on books as she has led me to discover several writers in the past. So I am pleased to report that yet again, I agree with her. This book is a cut above many regency historical romances. The writing is very literate without being cluttered with arcane vocabulary. The main trope of a father who cannot remain celibate and remarries 4 times is not one usually trodden. Of course, it all ends well as one would expect. The characters are engaging and well developed, and even if I guessed the denouement a few pages before it came , that is not a really bad point. Perhaps less felicitous is the inclusion of the mores of the pupils in Winchester school and their particular "in house" vocabulary. It does not really add a lot to the book.
If you like traditional historical romances without any steamy episodes, then I think you will like this. I am interested to see Lily's story in "the Belle of Winchester" which I have already pre-ordered.
If you like traditional historical romances without any steamy episodes, then I think you will like this. I am interested to see Lily's story in "the Belle of Winchester" which I have already pre-ordered.
January 28, 2023
Confesso che ho affrontato con una certa trepidazione questo romanzo, il primo di una nuova serie. Mi ero molto divertita con gli Hapgoods, una bizzarra ma amabile famiglia che dà vita a sei gradevoli libri, ma l'esperienza con autori altrettanto dotati (come Mary Kingswood o Caroline Warfield)) mi ha insegnato che, stranamente, esistono 'serie sì', 'serie così così', e 'serie no' che trascinano nel successo o nell'insuccesso ogni singolo episodio.
Invece, Christina Dudley mi è apparsa ancora una volta scrittrice di ottimo livello, quasi dickensiana nell'umorismo affettuoso con cui tratteggia i suoi personaggi (specie i più giovani), esperta dell'epoca Regency, immune (speriamo ancora per molto) dal desiderio di caricare le storie con anacronistiche scene di sesso.
Dato che i cultori del genere condividono le stesse (poche) buone letture, è assurdo chiedersi se l'autrice si sia un po' ispirata alla Edith Layton di 'Lord of Dishonor', che ci presentava un più piccante 'Amberley Assortment'?
Invece, Christina Dudley mi è apparsa ancora una volta scrittrice di ottimo livello, quasi dickensiana nell'umorismo affettuoso con cui tratteggia i suoi personaggi (specie i più giovani), esperta dell'epoca Regency, immune (speriamo ancora per molto) dal desiderio di caricare le storie con anacronistiche scene di sesso.
Dato che i cultori del genere condividono le stesse (poche) buone letture, è assurdo chiedersi se l'autrice si sia un po' ispirata alla Edith Layton di 'Lord of Dishonor', che ci presentava un più piccante 'Amberley Assortment'?
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April 14, 2024Clean entertaining regency romance...
I enjoyed the book enough to read the whole series that has been released to this point. I enjoyed the characters and getting to know them better and find their own happy endings with some unexpected and clever twists along the way.
The biggest hangup for me is that the narrative is constantly changing between characters... It's not written in first person, but you constantly know what everyone is thinking and feeling. For me, it makes the writing feel much more amateur than it probably actually is. No, I've never written (or even attempted to write) a book, but I see this writing style often enough (generally with more amateur writers) to assume it's a much easier way to write. Developing and seeing the plot through from only one persons perspective certainly has to be more challenging. To me, it makes all the difference between a 2-3 star book and a 4-5 star book.
I enjoyed the book enough to read the whole series that has been released to this point. I enjoyed the characters and getting to know them better and find their own happy endings with some unexpected and clever twists along the way.
The biggest hangup for me is that the narrative is constantly changing between characters... It's not written in first person, but you constantly know what everyone is thinking and feeling. For me, it makes the writing feel much more amateur than it probably actually is. No, I've never written (or even attempted to write) a book, but I see this writing style often enough (generally with more amateur writers) to assume it's a much easier way to write. Developing and seeing the plot through from only one persons perspective certainly has to be more challenging. To me, it makes all the difference between a 2-3 star book and a 4-5 star book.
December 9, 2022
Florence Ellsworth is the eldest daughter of Mr Ellsworth. She has a sister,Lili, and other siblings all half sisters and a brother for Mr Ellswoth has married again 3 times. His family is known as The Assortment. Now after mourning the death of their last stepmother, all the siblings are sure their father will marry again, especially since he wants a governess for the youngest, Beatrice and as a companion for Lili. But they are all against it, especially Florence who has just gotten engaged to Mr. Gregory, the rector of the nearest chursh. Florence soon realizes she does not love him but does feel something for Mr Fairchild, the attorney. What will she do? Mrs Whisp comes to town and soon she is engaged to Mr Ellsworth. Towards the end the story turns into a mess and how glad I was. I never read a regency where the heroine was a Florence. It was great.
November 15, 2025
The writing was charming and adorable, with plenty of wit and comedy.
"You're such a darling, darling Flossie that you ought to be loved by someone more...loveable!" - Miss Lily Ellsworth
Florence (Flossie) is such a sweet and gentle young woman, I couldn't help but love her. The honorable and tenderhearted Robert Fairchild was such a sweet match for her. I was really rooting for them through the whole book and the ending did not disappoint!
Also, I love the chaos of the Ellsworth family. This book made me laugh out loud with the awkward but relatable family situations, or the mischief of wild younger siblings. This, in addition to some unexpected twists in the story, it was quite a wild ride!
I absolutely love the elevated and traditional language/writing style. I am so pleased to have found this author and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her traditional regency novels! I think Christina Dudley might be one of my new favorite authors 💕📚
"You're such a darling, darling Flossie that you ought to be loved by someone more...loveable!" - Miss Lily Ellsworth
Florence (Flossie) is such a sweet and gentle young woman, I couldn't help but love her. The honorable and tenderhearted Robert Fairchild was such a sweet match for her. I was really rooting for them through the whole book and the ending did not disappoint!
Also, I love the chaos of the Ellsworth family. This book made me laugh out loud with the awkward but relatable family situations, or the mischief of wild younger siblings. This, in addition to some unexpected twists in the story, it was quite a wild ride!
I absolutely love the elevated and traditional language/writing style. I am so pleased to have found this author and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her traditional regency novels! I think Christina Dudley might be one of my new favorite authors 💕📚
January 28, 2023
A very nice clean story, dealing with a gentleman and his children as he seeks his 4th wife, and a lawyer trying to deal with the various clients needs whilst maintaining client confidentiality. A challenge to his own wishes and hopes.
At first I thought it was dragging with everyone’s thoughts and I did wonder if I could manage the book, but stick with it because then it is worth it as it develops and enjoyed it. I thought the ending was maybe a bit rushed, but as it is a series it maybe that more will come out in the later books, which I am looking forward to reading. It is nice that there is no nobility for a change as well.
At first I thought it was dragging with everyone’s thoughts and I did wonder if I could manage the book, but stick with it because then it is worth it as it develops and enjoyed it. I thought the ending was maybe a bit rushed, but as it is a series it maybe that more will come out in the later books, which I am looking forward to reading. It is nice that there is no nobility for a change as well.
January 2, 2026
3.5/5 stars. This was my first historical in a while and I liked it. Not much of a fan of the “clean” terminology but it wasn’t Christian romance (thank goodness) and the main characters weren’t preachy despite one of them being a pastor. In fact I don’t think there were any bible verses or prayer beyond what was normal in the time period.
It was pretty fun with a lively cast and commentary on blended families with step parents. The book seemed like it was decently researched and I learned a bit of history. I thought the romance was alright but the main characters in the next book seem a bit more exciting based off their appearance in this one.
It was pretty fun with a lively cast and commentary on blended families with step parents. The book seemed like it was decently researched and I learned a bit of history. I thought the romance was alright but the main characters in the next book seem a bit more exciting based off their appearance in this one.
October 9, 2022
This talented author needs to do more research on the Recency period, for there were numerous incidents of activity not true to the era. Some examples are afternoon tea being standard; Lily changed from regular to mourning clothes quickly whenever a visitor arrived; and Florence had an embroidery hoop at the breakfast table. There was a typo when a nephew named Paul called his uncle, Robert, Uncle Paul. I preferred the author's previous series about the Hapgood family, which was also flawed but better than this book. I doubt I will read this author again.
December 16, 2022
Confusion
I found this to be an excellent read. I believe that Mr Ellsworth was the type of person who had to have a partner in life and married as quickly as possible. FLossie was a heroine as she tried to balance her duties to her family and try to find a life outside the family. She made a bad decision with Mr Gregory because she decided to marry him to escape the burdens placed upon her by her family. That she found Mr Fairchild was the icing on the cake for her and the hero and heroine were united in love. It doesn’t get any better than that.
I found this to be an excellent read. I believe that Mr Ellsworth was the type of person who had to have a partner in life and married as quickly as possible. FLossie was a heroine as she tried to balance her duties to her family and try to find a life outside the family. She made a bad decision with Mr Gregory because she decided to marry him to escape the burdens placed upon her by her family. That she found Mr Fairchild was the icing on the cake for her and the hero and heroine were united in love. It doesn’t get any better than that.
December 20, 2022
This is what a story line should be. You think you know where the author is taking you, the question is how will you get there. There are twist and turns. Villains and virtues all have a role to play.
The too virtuous vicar, who falls from favor. His pale nearly invisible sister who becomes a pillar of virtue. The governess that bolts. The attorney that stays silent. The dead husband. The aggrieved widow. The mourning father? Yes this novel has all this plus the engagement that never should have been! (Maybe TWO!)
The too virtuous vicar, who falls from favor. His pale nearly invisible sister who becomes a pillar of virtue. The governess that bolts. The attorney that stays silent. The dead husband. The aggrieved widow. The mourning father? Yes this novel has all this plus the engagement that never should have been! (Maybe TWO!)
December 31, 2024
Quirky read
This is a light read with a lot of quirky characters. I will say if you are looking to read about deep connection between characters, this is definitely not the book for it.
I didn't love it so much because I am the "look for a deep well written connection between characters in my books" type, but I did enjoy reading about the comings and goings of the family. It soothed me. This element and the fact it was written in English that gave it that period appropriate air kept me coming back.
This is a light read with a lot of quirky characters. I will say if you are looking to read about deep connection between characters, this is definitely not the book for it.
I didn't love it so much because I am the "look for a deep well written connection between characters in my books" type, but I did enjoy reading about the comings and goings of the family. It soothed me. This element and the fact it was written in English that gave it that period appropriate air kept me coming back.
May 16, 2025
This is perfection! Stunningly so!
A Regency as it ought to be!
This has the manners and restraints of the times without being exaggerated, and frustrating to read. In fact it was interesting and held my attention throughout, despite its length. I was never bored, nor wished for it to hurry to the end. It is a good story, with good characters, in a well drawn setting, with a most satisfactory conclusion.
This book is well written, well edited, and is not in need of a proofreader. Like I said: Perfection!
A Regency as it ought to be!
This has the manners and restraints of the times without being exaggerated, and frustrating to read. In fact it was interesting and held my attention throughout, despite its length. I was never bored, nor wished for it to hurry to the end. It is a good story, with good characters, in a well drawn setting, with a most satisfactory conclusion.
This book is well written, well edited, and is not in need of a proofreader. Like I said: Perfection!
November 7, 2022
excellent story
This story is well written, the plot followed through and developed well.
Her writing style is excellent, I didn’t notice any annoying sentence structures or repetitive word choices or styles.
In short I didn’t notice the writing at all, it flowed well so I was carried away with the story rather than annoyed by poor writing! She is great.
Definitely worth reading if you are a Jane Austen and Georgette better fan.
This story is well written, the plot followed through and developed well.
Her writing style is excellent, I didn’t notice any annoying sentence structures or repetitive word choices or styles.
In short I didn’t notice the writing at all, it flowed well so I was carried away with the story rather than annoyed by poor writing! She is great.
Definitely worth reading if you are a Jane Austen and Georgette better fan.
December 22, 2022
I’ve been a huge fan of Christina Dudley’s work ever since I read her first books many years ago. I love her unique characters and plots, along with the many twists and turns, and her sense of humor. I had been anticipating this new series since the final book of the Hapgoods of Bramleigh, and Tempted by Folly did not disappoint. I’m looking forward to reading the next book: The Belle of Winchester.
December 31, 2022
Another great beginning to another great Dudley series
I absolutely love this author's voice. I enjoyed the creative plot line and the scrapes, antics or predicaments the characters experienced. I was holding my breath for how the story would end. It was a fun ride. The story had a nice flow, characters, dialogue and story development.
If you love a good clean Regency story this is a good one. I also enjoy the bit of Georgette Heyer flair to the story.
I absolutely love this author's voice. I enjoyed the creative plot line and the scrapes, antics or predicaments the characters experienced. I was holding my breath for how the story would end. It was a fun ride. The story had a nice flow, characters, dialogue and story development.
If you love a good clean Regency story this is a good one. I also enjoy the bit of Georgette Heyer flair to the story.
January 8, 2023
Christina Dudley does it again!
I just love Christina Dudley‘s writing. It’s sweet and has a Heyer-level ability to tangle and untangle ina delightful manner that is a joy to watch! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It also contains just enough slow burn SUPER clean romance that is so fun to read and not gross at all. I thoroughly appreciate her writing and her talent!! I’m loving this new series and can’t wait for the rest of the Assortment’s stories!!
I just love Christina Dudley‘s writing. It’s sweet and has a Heyer-level ability to tangle and untangle ina delightful manner that is a joy to watch! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It also contains just enough slow burn SUPER clean romance that is so fun to read and not gross at all. I thoroughly appreciate her writing and her talent!! I’m loving this new series and can’t wait for the rest of the Assortment’s stories!!
April 5, 2024
"Ridiculous" describes the characters, situations and decisions in this novel. The Ellsworth father's choice of serial wives, without regard for his children; the rigid decisions of the oldest daughter, Florence, determined to turn her family's scandalous reputation to respectability; and the lecherous widow's seduction of every man in her path...kept me engaged, but I have been drawn into this series by the remaining "Ellsworth Assortment" of children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2025
Great book! !
This book was a great read. Such sweet girls putting up with such wayward characters. Mrs. Whisp was one of those characters that you love to hate, totally unprincipled and selfish. I loved Florence's family, even the totally "unaware " father. A thoroughly delightful book, even if I did chew my nails during some parts of the book. True love prevailed but it was a fun read getting to that love.
This book was a great read. Such sweet girls putting up with such wayward characters. Mrs. Whisp was one of those characters that you love to hate, totally unprincipled and selfish. I loved Florence's family, even the totally "unaware " father. A thoroughly delightful book, even if I did chew my nails during some parts of the book. True love prevailed but it was a fun read getting to that love.
November 23, 2022
a jolly good regency
what a delight to read such a well written regency.
the characters hold their own with well thought out reactions and interactions.
i skimmed some of the more lengthy details about how the university works because it was unintelligible but otherwise devoured the story with relish.
eagerly anticipating the next book in this series.
what a delight to read such a well written regency.
the characters hold their own with well thought out reactions and interactions.
i skimmed some of the more lengthy details about how the university works because it was unintelligible but otherwise devoured the story with relish.
eagerly anticipating the next book in this series.
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