The Impossible Ward

by Dorothy Mack

Things were awkward, mused Lady Marianne Carstairs, deuced awkward. She was grateful for the unexpected inheritance, of course, but she might have wished that the late Earl of Melford's choice of trustee had been someone other than the handsome and charming Justin, Lord Lunswick.

She sighed. Ruefully, she was forced to confess to herself that life on a Yorkshire farm had ill prepared her for the elegant fencing and flirting of the ton. And now Andrew's henwitted scheme for saving Justin from the bewitching Aurelie St. Clair ... Yes, things were very complicated indeed.

Genres: Regency, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Griffinyarn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis given here is misleading - Marianne has no idea that she is the daughter of the (late) Earl of Melford (since he abandoned her at birth to the care of her maternal grandparents) - until Lord Lunswick turns up at her farm and mistakes her for a milkmaid. Nor was she particularly thrilled at the prospect of being launched into Society.

I felt that this book didn't live up to its potential. The pace was a bit too plodding for my taste, especially as much of it was spent in hostile incivilities between the hero and heroine. (In fact, I almost gave up a third of the way through, but persisted to the end). And there wasn't the effervescence or witty banter that livens up Austen's or Heyer's books.

There were also characters or plot threads that didn't really go anywhere; as if the author got distracted or forgot that she'd set it up. For example, the cousin Audrey was all set up to try and seduce Marianne for her fortune, after which he barely gets a mention.

Recommended if you're in the mood for a clean Regency novel with an authentic feel (as opposed to the "modern" Regency novel where the heroine preempts the hero by ripping her own bodice)

[Aarathi Burki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice little read with not much of a story but a simple love take between a marquis and an ordinary girl who later finds out she belonged to a noble class

[Bree Lewandowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tell you what, this book might really be 3.5 stars except for the way Ms. Mack knows how to spin her heroes. Woo! She gets the brooding man down pact! And I'm trash for it. In keeping with regency romance and the final understanding and kiss not being (typically) until the last page, Mack makes sure it's a payoff. She also has a thing about men putting necklaces on women and how sexy and intimate that can be and I gotta admit, she's right. I can't wait to read another of her books. Her men are so broody and controlling and protective. But not in a douche bag way.

[Tria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but frustrating in parts because, as so often seems to happen with non-British writers of fiction set in Regency England, it clearly hasn't been Britpicked. Sigh. There are other reasons too, but meh, I read this sort of thing for unchallenging literary comfort food, so I won't dwell on it. I like Marianne herself, and that's enough to carry me through. I have to like my Regency heroines, or else it's not worth reading them as comfort. 3.5 stars.

[Jeanie's Kindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impossible to turn a unwanted but not forgotten country bumpkin into a wealthy lady to be presented to the ton in London. A huge chore but the last wish of her father whom she never met. Marianne was never seen by her father because her mother died in childbirth and it was too painful for him. He always took care of her financially but she never knew it. She was raised by her Irish grandparents in a rural setting and as her grandfather aged, she took on the chores of a farmhand. Not know of her gentle birth or the fortune that would come her way upon her father's passing.
Justin was asked by Marianne's father to bring her to London and take her as his ward. She was to inherit 1/4 million pounds and Justin was to keep the fortune hunters away. He was to find a suitable husband for her and help her settle into a proper life of a lady.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with a Marquess named a trustee of a woman who is 22, was never acknowledged by her father, no one knew he was even married. Marianne was raised by her maternal grandparents whose income came from her father. All of this was unknown to her because she thought her father had died in a naval battle. Justin is the Marquess who goes to get her from the farm she has been raised on as a project for his mother to get her involved in life again after 4 years of grieving the death of a much loved husband and son. Talk about a clash of wills between Marianne and Justin ! Very well written story, secondary characters fleshed out also, adored Marianne , Justin a great hero, this will be a keeper !

[Louie Halfacre · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title of the book is completely absurd since he was Marianne's trustee according to her father's will. The author is slightly confused by referring to Justin as her trustee and shortly after referring to her as his ward. I hope she realizes that there is a world of difference in the two situations. I lost interest at the 70% mark when he involves Marianne in a fake love situation because he doesn't have the courage to tell the Countess he no longer wants her attention. I believe he only wants to marry Marianne because of her tremendous inheritance. A very nice thing for him since he gets the money when he marries her. Starts good but goes downhill as book progresses. I would recommend readers skip this book and looks elsewhere.

[Patrizia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il racconto è semplice, in parte scontato, e, come spesso succede, piuttosto debole nel finale; ma è scritto bene, con dialoghi vivaci (che mi hanno indotto a soprassedere su qualche espressione chiaramente anacronistica) e sono sempre generosa quando mi imbatto in una 'nuova' scrittrice che non mi fa cascare le braccia.

[Inés · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very decent clean traditional regency. It tells the story of the Marquis of Lynswick and Lady Marianne. He's a brooding hero, who is appointed as ward to the estranged daughter of a neighbouring deceased earl. She's been brought up by her grandfather in a remote farm in Yorkshire, unaware of her aristocratic connections. Following the late earl's will, he whisks her to his state in Somerset, so his mum can prepare her for her debut in society. He's highhanded (what aristocrat wouldn't?) and a bit cynical, after having experienced in the last years heartbreak and the death of both his father and his twin elder brother. She's headstrong, proud and independent (she's used to running the farm) and isn't "accomplished" in the usual way of ladies. What ensues is a battle of wills, with an enemies to lovers trope. There are plenty of supporting characters to add some spice to the mix (special mention should be made to the marchioness, for once a wonderful loving woman instead of the more usual annoying or managing mother figure), and there's even another romance subplot in the background.
As a whole, it may not be a perfect novel, but it is a very entertaining romance.

[Christiane Robillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, heartwarming & touching

Really loved this book. The storyline was original, the writing itself was wonderfully descriptive,the dialogue was colourful and totally engaging. The characters were well developed, relatable and endearing. I was so caught up in this book, I had to stay up all night to read to the end! I definitely will read more from this author. Wonderful read.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Swoon*

I enjoyed this one more than the first of Dorothy Mack’s novels I read, for sure! It was pretty sweet, clean, but didn’t have me in doldrums like The Substitute Bride did. Not to say the other was bad; it was good, but I felt I related to the characters in this one better.

5 stars.

[Beth Koenigsknecht]

well written and grammatically correct regency romance but not my cup of tea for substance in a plot so I would only give it a star for my rating. Pretty rich single man+ young beautiful woman albeit with mildly intriguing side characters yet not enough to hold my attention nor have a desire to reread it.

[Lazy Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great plot

One of the problems with it becoming a great book was the ongoing text and very very little dialogue. Then to throw in the overused situation of so many misunderstandings, along with the old lover coming back to seduce the hero and the utter lack of understanding or communicating. Yikes. Painful at some points.

[Martha B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rather like the story except the last part. The book was too long IMO and dragging. The last twist with misunderstanding and miscommunication made me lose interest almost completely. I skimmed through the ending. I couldn’t see how after the blow the heroine served the H would try again. Otherwise there was some angst with the heroine seeing the H with the OW.

[MarieAntoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner

Miss Mack has surely done it again...in all I have read of her books I have not been disappointed one single time..Take the time to read them all you will enjoy them ever bit as much of Jane & Georgette

[Christin · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute but too much telling

Nothing bad in this book, just lacks some tension. Too much narration, overview, and description. I liked Marianne and her moments of actual interaction with Justin or inner monologue were the best pets of the book.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant read once I got used to the style. Not the best writing in the world but seemed very well researched about fashion etc of the time. Realise that all these books have a clever and hidden beauty who wins the heart of an ultra conservative man.

[Kotori · Rating 5 out of 5]

very fun reread

likeable heroine and hero believable motivated characters
pleasantly enjoyable novel in proper regent style
one of my favorites in light and quick romance

[Nonice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Margaret Shumaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This is a well written Recency with charming characters. I especially enjoyed the social interactions and undercurrents. This was a delightful escape read.

[Vickie Timmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good clean reading

Humor and love abounds. I'm planning in reading all in this series anxious to see how many different stories she can come up with.

[Sumi38 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I like it but it’s the fourth book of D. Mack than I read in a row. So even if it’s good I didn’t find it as delightful as the 1st.one.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute, a perfect length and a clean Regency romance! It was adorable. I will be reading more of this author in the future. Recommend.

[Ummeyusuf · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5.

[Ivusha (Tenebien) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It just seemed too long with too many storylines. I did like the main female character.

[Mrs VB Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read!

I enjoyed this book it had a strong leading lady a loving family happy to meet a new niece. Plenty of women for the male leads to fight off. The young people in the story are not heading for an easy ride towards marriage. The lady of the house is a very deep loving character who is very proud of her son's, who she hopes will find the loves of there lives, but wicked spiteful women arrive to make this task very problematical.

[JANET SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endearing Story

Another enjoyable story by Dorothy Mack. Well written, and main characters endearing, a simple love story written in true Regency style with no cliff hangers, unless of course you count the tree climbing incident! (Which in actual fact was very sweet) There was of course 2 self centred women, intent on claiming the Marquess of Lunswick, and attempting to thwart his and Marrianne's blossoming relationship. All in all I would thoroughly recommend this book.

[Ernestina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it unfair to compare every modern author of regency romance stories to Heyer? Most probably. Will I continue to do so? Also yes.
The Impossible Ward is not a bad book - but it lacks the wit and lightness found in Heyer and sometimes seems to forget plot points or character's inner tumult: crucial for one chapter but somehow neglected in the other. And sometimes it would benefit from "more show and less tell" when it comes to the characters' psychology. But overall: not a bad book.

[SM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad not great. Heroine was too prejudiced against hero in the beginning, how they had dallying love I don’t understand.
Misunderstanding in the end was too silly and was unwanted. This author’s last book also was like that, silly misunderstanding which keeps hero and heroine apart for some time.
Overall ok.