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A Prior Attachment
The Duke of Carlyle had found the perfect husband for his beautiful daughter, Lady Gemma Monteith. John Delevan was handsome, intelligent, witty, charming, and above all, very, very warlthy. But the duke had neglected one detail. Gemma happened to be head-ver-heels in love with her childhood sweetheart, Captain George Godwin. And now that gallant officer and gentleman was coming home after heroic wartime service to claim Gemma as his bride.
Wedding bells were ready to ring for Gemma--but who would be the one to put the ring on her finger...?
Wedding bells were ready to ring for Gemma--but who would be the one to put the ring on her finger...?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 2, 1989
181 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 6, 2020
Excellent writing and clean story
Sometimes after reading so many regency books I forget what truly quality writing is. But upon reading this book by Dorothy Mack I was reminded of what’s well written story really is. It reminded me also of Jane Austin and her details and descriptions. Yes, sometimes I had to read some lines two or three times to get the full sense of it, but that was because the writing has depth and is more complex in style. Loved it. I highly recommend this story. And no stupid misunderstandings, just realistic feelings and expectations!
Sometimes after reading so many regency books I forget what truly quality writing is. But upon reading this book by Dorothy Mack I was reminded of what’s well written story really is. It reminded me also of Jane Austin and her details and descriptions. Yes, sometimes I had to read some lines two or three times to get the full sense of it, but that was because the writing has depth and is more complex in style. Loved it. I highly recommend this story. And no stupid misunderstandings, just realistic feelings and expectations!
August 4, 2022
Another Dorothy Mack success!
I thoroughly enjoy Dorothy Mack’s writing and this has all the right pieces. Great characters, elevated word choice, well-paced plot. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good, clean romance.
I thoroughly enjoy Dorothy Mack’s writing and this has all the right pieces. Great characters, elevated word choice, well-paced plot. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good, clean romance.
May 13, 2022
Regency w/ kisses only. Usually a small house party
involved who would pair with whom? It felt slow in
parts, so I skimmed ahead, @ around 65%. This
had 2 romances. Not the story I hoped for.
Beautiful, smart, thoughtful Lady Gemma was dtr.
of a Duke + Duchess. Her sire wanted to pair her w/
barrister John, the son of a banker & the bro. of Gem's
best friend, Lucy. Wouldn't a Duke insist on a titled
man for his daughter? John, Lucy and others joined
the house party.
Gemma loved neighbor Captain George Godwin (son
of a country squire) who'd been at war x 4 yrs. She
last saw him 2 yrs ago. Once reunited, these 2 were
not the same. George brought with him, friend Major
Oliver Barton, who had an injured arm. Oliver was the
most mature, most interesting male character in the story.
Gemma's visiting beautiful yet vacuous & undiplomatic
cousin Coralee, tried to shame Gem & compete with her.
Gem excelled at billiards & Cora chided her (in front of
guests) for her "unfeminine accomplishment." Nearly
all the unattached men, w/ the exception of Oliver, flocked
to flirty Cora. George became fascinated w/ her. In modern
terms, I'd call her an amateur man-eater.
Gemma got herself into mishaps/ jams. I would not call
her clumsy. In several instances she became disheveled
after mishaps. Reasons for her sire to lecture her?
involved who would pair with whom? It felt slow in
parts, so I skimmed ahead, @ around 65%. This
had 2 romances. Not the story I hoped for.
Beautiful, smart, thoughtful Lady Gemma was dtr.
of a Duke + Duchess. Her sire wanted to pair her w/
barrister John, the son of a banker & the bro. of Gem's
best friend, Lucy. Wouldn't a Duke insist on a titled
man for his daughter? John, Lucy and others joined
the house party.
Gemma loved neighbor Captain George Godwin (son
of a country squire) who'd been at war x 4 yrs. She
last saw him 2 yrs ago. Once reunited, these 2 were
not the same. George brought with him, friend Major
Oliver Barton, who had an injured arm. Oliver was the
most mature, most interesting male character in the story.
Gemma's visiting beautiful yet vacuous & undiplomatic
cousin Coralee, tried to shame Gem & compete with her.
Gem excelled at billiards & Cora chided her (in front of
guests) for her "unfeminine accomplishment." Nearly
all the unattached men, w/ the exception of Oliver, flocked
to flirty Cora. George became fascinated w/ her. In modern
terms, I'd call her an amateur man-eater.
Gemma got herself into mishaps/ jams. I would not call
her clumsy. In several instances she became disheveled
after mishaps. Reasons for her sire to lecture her?
October 3, 2023
I enjoy coming back to Dorothy Mack because I know that even when she's not batting a thousand, her RBI average is contending for gold glove status. The woman just continually cranks out enjoyable reads. This book being no exception.
I fall into Mack books. I forget where I've come from and I cannot read fast enough to find out what happens. In this book, I was surprised to find that the second couple's romance was just as intriguing, actually if not more so, than the main couple. A brooding, dark man with a crippled arm, towering in muscle and resentment over the fair, demure young woman of propriety who, inwardly, is set aflame by his presence. How many more Regency romances can I find with this dynamic? Tell me. I need it.
So, what kept me from doling out a perfect score? For me, there was a tad too much head hopping in this book which isn't something I normally find fault over with Mack books. It surprised me. That, and as is a common fault in this genre, I wanted more time with the main couple falling in love. A little more hand holding, face touches, and stolen moments. Suspend me over the ending even though I know the ending will be happy because this is my comfort genre. Like getting something through the drive-thru at the fast food chain restaurant. I know it's the same thing every time and it better be because that's exactly what I want.
I fall into Mack books. I forget where I've come from and I cannot read fast enough to find out what happens. In this book, I was surprised to find that the second couple's romance was just as intriguing, actually if not more so, than the main couple. A brooding, dark man with a crippled arm, towering in muscle and resentment over the fair, demure young woman of propriety who, inwardly, is set aflame by his presence. How many more Regency romances can I find with this dynamic? Tell me. I need it.
So, what kept me from doling out a perfect score? For me, there was a tad too much head hopping in this book which isn't something I normally find fault over with Mack books. It surprised me. That, and as is a common fault in this genre, I wanted more time with the main couple falling in love. A little more hand holding, face touches, and stolen moments. Suspend me over the ending even though I know the ending will be happy because this is my comfort genre. Like getting something through the drive-thru at the fast food chain restaurant. I know it's the same thing every time and it better be because that's exactly what I want.
June 20, 2012
This one started out okay, but lost me along the way. I kept putting it down and had to push myself to finish. I think my biggest complaint was that I thought the main focus would be on Gemma and John, somewhere along the way their story got pushed to the background. Gemma's friend Lucy starts her own love story, which was nice, but distracted from Gemma's. I thought the ending was rushed and there were a lot of lose ends, like Coralee and George. To be honest, I was a little bored.
Content: Clean.
Content: Clean.
August 19, 2022
Year and location are never specified other than England. I would guess 1800s
Characters
Gemma: A Duke’s daughter
Mr. John Delavan: The man Gemma's father basically sold her to
Lucy Delavan: Gemma's best friend
Captain Godwin: a.k.a. George, the man Gemma has been waiting for and believes will marry her
Lord Gresham: Gemma’s father, the Duke
Major Barton: visitor with only one arm, aka Lord Oliver huge facial scar
Coralee: Gemma’s cousin, a flirt, extremely beautiful
So, for a secular book this was very clean. I don’t recall any sort of unsavory language, nor is there really any kissing other than mention of someone being seen kissing.
The story, in my estimation, was fascinating. Not specifically unique, as any book where a daughter is virtually sold to save the father‘s estates. Gemma‘s best friend is coming for a visit during the summer and she just happens to be escorted by her brother who is the very man the Duke arranged to marry his daughter. But it was unique in that Gemma objects to the arrangement, and tells John upfront she’s expecting a promise from another man (George) when he returns from war. The lovely thing is John doesn’t give up. He most definitely doesn’t force himself as a suitor, but patiently offers Gemma friendship, and for to see his true heart.
A Goodreads friend of mine used the descriptor "elevated word choice" for the book. Boy, was she right. I got a kick out of the way the author writes. She sounds exactly like she was from the 1800s. Her sentence structure was much like the 1800s. Long, long run-on sentences that actually made me smile….
"He had retained enough sense of self-preservation to keep from agreeing to the marriage, but in the course of a lively interview that saw his father return to his old juggernaut-like form, he had admitted to having no prior attachment to any other lady that would preclude an alliance, and later agreed not to give his final refusal of the match without first meeting the lady concerned." 😁
If I had an issue at all with this book it would be the way the author mentioned people. Often she would say "the man", or "the woman" or, the "man spoke to the woman", specifically referring to characters that have already been introduced. Why do that? The other thing was the author used different names for the same people, and I got a bit confused. Major Barton was also called Lord Oliver, or Oliver, or (the memorable mouthful) Major Lord Oliver Barton, all interchangeable throughout. Most people wouldn’t have an issue with this, but I got a bit lost in who they were talking about until I made a list of who was who.
I liked it so much I got the second book and can’t wait to delve into it after I finish my library books. So for a clean secular book I highly recommend this.
Characters
Gemma: A Duke’s daughter
Mr. John Delavan: The man Gemma's father basically sold her to
Lucy Delavan: Gemma's best friend
Captain Godwin: a.k.a. George, the man Gemma has been waiting for and believes will marry her
Lord Gresham: Gemma’s father, the Duke
Major Barton: visitor with only one arm, aka Lord Oliver huge facial scar
Coralee: Gemma’s cousin, a flirt, extremely beautiful
So, for a secular book this was very clean. I don’t recall any sort of unsavory language, nor is there really any kissing other than mention of someone being seen kissing.
The story, in my estimation, was fascinating. Not specifically unique, as any book where a daughter is virtually sold to save the father‘s estates. Gemma‘s best friend is coming for a visit during the summer and she just happens to be escorted by her brother who is the very man the Duke arranged to marry his daughter. But it was unique in that Gemma objects to the arrangement, and tells John upfront she’s expecting a promise from another man (George) when he returns from war. The lovely thing is John doesn’t give up. He most definitely doesn’t force himself as a suitor, but patiently offers Gemma friendship, and for to see his true heart.
A Goodreads friend of mine used the descriptor "elevated word choice" for the book. Boy, was she right. I got a kick out of the way the author writes. She sounds exactly like she was from the 1800s. Her sentence structure was much like the 1800s. Long, long run-on sentences that actually made me smile….
"He had retained enough sense of self-preservation to keep from agreeing to the marriage, but in the course of a lively interview that saw his father return to his old juggernaut-like form, he had admitted to having no prior attachment to any other lady that would preclude an alliance, and later agreed not to give his final refusal of the match without first meeting the lady concerned." 😁
If I had an issue at all with this book it would be the way the author mentioned people. Often she would say "the man", or "the woman" or, the "man spoke to the woman", specifically referring to characters that have already been introduced. Why do that? The other thing was the author used different names for the same people, and I got a bit confused. Major Barton was also called Lord Oliver, or Oliver, or (the memorable mouthful) Major Lord Oliver Barton, all interchangeable throughout. Most people wouldn’t have an issue with this, but I got a bit lost in who they were talking about until I made a list of who was who.
I liked it so much I got the second book and can’t wait to delve into it after I finish my library books. So for a clean secular book I highly recommend this.
October 7, 2021
My Prior Attachment to this Book
My first reading of this book occurred when it was first published as a mass market paperback. I loved it then and was saddened by the loss of the book during years with many moves and life changes. I was delighted to find it available again and even more, to find that its appeal had not lessened. Gemma is a perfect Regency heroine, well-born, attractive but not over-impressed by her status and appearance. John is the first surprise. He’s wealthy but has made his own way, is solid and rather unlikely to be pushed into a marriage merely to satisfy his father, who is well-loved but unquestionably a cit.
To play against this pairing is a typically worthless young ducal heir, a lovely but shallow and heartless beauty, a wounded soldier, a shy but composed schoolmate of the heroine, and the heroine’s first love, a charming but unsteady young neighbor. Obviously they must be collected in a summer of country flirtation and entertainments.
Dorothy Mack moves her players on this stage with elegance and delicacy. I knew the outcome, of course, but the author made me enjoy the road to the happy ending through every twist and misstep. Her impeccable language skills made my reading a pleasure as I turned the pages! Thanks to Amazon for making these novels from years ago available again!
My first reading of this book occurred when it was first published as a mass market paperback. I loved it then and was saddened by the loss of the book during years with many moves and life changes. I was delighted to find it available again and even more, to find that its appeal had not lessened. Gemma is a perfect Regency heroine, well-born, attractive but not over-impressed by her status and appearance. John is the first surprise. He’s wealthy but has made his own way, is solid and rather unlikely to be pushed into a marriage merely to satisfy his father, who is well-loved but unquestionably a cit.
To play against this pairing is a typically worthless young ducal heir, a lovely but shallow and heartless beauty, a wounded soldier, a shy but composed schoolmate of the heroine, and the heroine’s first love, a charming but unsteady young neighbor. Obviously they must be collected in a summer of country flirtation and entertainments.
Dorothy Mack moves her players on this stage with elegance and delicacy. I knew the outcome, of course, but the author made me enjoy the road to the happy ending through every twist and misstep. Her impeccable language skills made my reading a pleasure as I turned the pages! Thanks to Amazon for making these novels from years ago available again!
August 23, 2020
Every feeling from A-Z!
I enjoyed every lift and dip in this roller-coaster romantic ride. Great characters, excellent pace, and some wonderful moments. I just felt it ended rather quickly and a bit oddly, as if there was going to be a second book....
I loved despising Coralee, her mother, and worst character of all, His Grace the Duke.
The Duchess broke my heart - a beautiful character that deserved so much more than she received. I want a second book where the Duke gets his come-uppance at the hands of his son, & the Duchess comes completely into her own supported by Gemma & John, with Lucy & Oliver.
I enjoyed every lift and dip in this roller-coaster romantic ride. Great characters, excellent pace, and some wonderful moments. I just felt it ended rather quickly and a bit oddly, as if there was going to be a second book....
I loved despising Coralee, her mother, and worst character of all, His Grace the Duke.
The Duchess broke my heart - a beautiful character that deserved so much more than she received. I want a second book where the Duke gets his come-uppance at the hands of his son, & the Duchess comes completely into her own supported by Gemma & John, with Lucy & Oliver.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2024
This book is set during one summer. A summer where Duke’s daughter Gemma meets up with long-time friend Lucy and her brother John. Gemma’s father wants Gemma to marry John but Gemma is all but betrothed to another in George. Throw Gemma’s pretty but spiteful cousin Coralee into the mix and you have a story full of romance, misunderstandings and betrayal. It took me a little while to get used to how Dorothy writes, but I really enjoyed all the romantic plotting & intrigue. I knocked a star off because I thought the book ended abruptly. An epilogue would have been nice.
March 18, 2020
A delightful story, very much in the style of Georgette Heyer, in a country house setting with various couples teetering on the brink of romance. I really engaged with the characters (both good and deliberately aggravating) and so wanted Gemma to pick the obvious real Mr Right. And for Lucy to meet her match too. This was a pleasure to read.
May 11, 2023
Diffidavo di questo romanzo, e avevo pienamente ragione. Ho letto tutto quello che Dorothy Mack ha scritto, oscillando nella valutazione tra le tre e le quattro stelle, ma mai avrei immaginato di trovarmi davanti a un romanzo che non sarei riuscita a terminare.
La storia si trascina faticosamente; la scrittura è elementare; i personaggi non riescono a farsi apprezzare... che posso dire di più? A dead bore.
Confessa, Dorothy: a chi l'hai fatto scrivere?
La storia si trascina faticosamente; la scrittura è elementare; i personaggi non riescono a farsi apprezzare... che posso dire di più? A dead bore.
Confessa, Dorothy: a chi l'hai fatto scrivere?
August 27, 2020
Love with a twist
I really enjoyed this book as well. I like them all why lie. This book has a bit of a different story line. As always I could. Or would not should never put it down..Thank You again Miss Mack for a delightful few days of reading.
I really enjoyed this book as well. I like them all why lie. This book has a bit of a different story line. As always I could. Or would not should never put it down..Thank You again Miss Mack for a delightful few days of reading.
February 6, 2022
This is good quality Regency romance. The characters are believable, likeable and interesting. The setting, also, seems authentic and well researched. Much of the prose is quite wordy and at times requires a second read over to understand, but overall it is a very enjoyable read.
May 11, 2024
I really liked the male lead, female lead and her mother. Her father was an entitled ass. There was one place near the end as he is talking about himself where I just wanted to beat the crap out of him.
March 14, 2020
Very good
A traditional regency soft romance with wonderful characters and story development. The heroine parents marriage was realistically portrayed,loved her mother.
A traditional regency soft romance with wonderful characters and story development. The heroine parents marriage was realistically portrayed,loved her mother.
July 17, 2021
One of her best!
I really enjoyed this book.. the setting, finely etched characters and sweet storyline was perfect! This is classic Recency romance at its best.
I really enjoyed this book.. the setting, finely etched characters and sweet storyline was perfect! This is classic Recency romance at its best.
December 11, 2023
Maybe deserves a better rating. But don't remember it at all. OTOH I kept it.
October 12, 2024
3.5 Good one though a bit frustrating. Clean romance with good characters.
July 30, 2025
You know what would have made this book better?
If George and Coralee got their comeuppance
If George and Coralee got their comeuppance
June 4, 2024
1st. Book by this author and certainly not the last.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews