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Courting Julia
After the death of her step-grandfather, Julia Maynard finds herself surrounded by prospective suitors, but she is drawn, for better or for worse, to the rakishly handsome Frederick, Earl of Beaconswood
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1993
298 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
200 books6,354 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 17, 2018
3.5 stars.
The wild, untameable, hoyden heroine is matched with the ultra conservative, stuffy and non rakish hero, in this delightful, clean traditional regency romance.
Julia, the heroine, is the shining star of this novel. She's at the centre everything that happens, including the minor storylines, because she's by nature a sociable, feisty and adventurous young heroine. Sometimes she's annoying but it's impossible to dislike her because she was such a sweet and kind individual. Daniel, the H, is the polar opposite of Julia. He's cold, haughty, dislikes having fun, is always concerned about his image as the new Earl of Beaconswood and takes himself too seriously. Daniel spent most of the novel complaining and criticizing other characters' behaviour and life choices. This would've ended up being a 3 star rating but the author salvaged my opinion of Daniel by explaining, in detail, why he'd grown into such an unhumorous man. Mary Balogh also redeemed him at the end by turning him into a happier and more light hearted individual who finally accepted that he needed to have some sort of balance in his life.
Julia's an orphaned poor relation whose guardian left her in quite a financial bind after his death. The late Earl, whose late daughter had been Julia's stepmother, stipulated in his will that Julia will only be able to acquire his one unentailed estate if she marries one of his nephews. There are 5 nephews to choose from and the H is eldest; he's also the one who has inherited the old Earl's title and entailed properties. Daniel's greedy mother resents Julia but wants her son to maintain possession of the unentailed estate. The H, however, dislikes Julia intensely because she's not his idea of what a perfect Countess is supposed to be. He takes himself out of the running and it's up to the other 4 young men to court the heroine. Three of them are quite nice but Frederick is a rake with huge gambling debts. The confused Julia doesn't know what to do. She's reluctant to marry any of them because she's not attracted to them ( except for Daniel ) but she's also scared of ending up with her hateful relatives who live in the north of England.
What follow is a charming little story that focuses on the heroine's attempts to choose a husband from among these men. The MC's spend a lot of time arguing but they're unable to deny their attraction for each other. Daniel fights it more than Julia because he's already picked out an insipid, "suitable" debutante to whom he'd been on the verge of proposing. I was honestly annoyed with Daniel for most of this story. The term hoity toity could've been coined to epitomize this H. It's only in the latter half of the story that Daniel begins to loosen up a little and it all happens due to Julia. The heroine kept getting herself into wacky situations due to her love of adventure and Daniel often found himself right in the middle of all her drama. It seemed that he was the only one unlucky enough to be right there just when she decided to go swimming in the pond or riding wildly on her stallion. I loved how Julia challenged Daniel and forced him to accept the sexual attraction that they shared:
"You did not follow me because you were outraged," she said. "Or because you saw me as an unruly child in need of chastisement. Be honest with yourself, Daniel. You followed me because I am a woman. More woman than you have ever encountered before. More woman than you know what to do with."
And that ended up being quite prophetic because Daniel, while not being a rake, was not exactly experienced enough to deal with such an unmanageable Julia. He was unskilled in the art of casual flirtation and his sexual experiences had been strictly confined to his few former mistresses. Julia, while being a virgin ingenue, was still far too sensuous and free spirited for Daniel. He didn't know what to do with her and he was ashamed of the passion that he felt whenever she was near. There was no sex in this novel but the author included quite a few passionate make out scenes in the latter half of the story and it was wonderful to see the way Daniel unravelled in Julia's arms:
He had possessed many women, and had taken several of them with an energetic lust. He had never—not once—lost all touch with reality, been so absorbed with the woman in his arms that sensation had deprived him of thought and reason. Not once until just now, that was.
The last quarter of the novel was filled with grand drama when Frederick kidnapped Julia to take her to Gretna Green and force her to marry him. It's only then that Daniel finally becomes assertive and takes control of the situation. Frederick ended up developing a conscience at a last minute but the H was still there to save Julia and to propose to her. Daniel also proved his love for her by gifting the unentailed estate to her. There was also another minor romantic storyline between Daniel's sister and one of the other cousins. This novel wasn't filled with the usual type of London Ton and aristocratic ballroom regency drama because it's set entirely at the country estate. But it was a cute and refreshing traditional regency.
Safety: No sex, no OW drama. The H had been courting a debutante during the London season but his interaction with that lady had been platonic. The heroine kissed a couple of the OM ( the candidates for the post of her husband ) during the time she was trying to vet which one would be suitable.
This is Daniel, the H:
This is Julia, the heroine:
The wild, untameable, hoyden heroine is matched with the ultra conservative, stuffy and non rakish hero, in this delightful, clean traditional regency romance.
Julia, the heroine, is the shining star of this novel. She's at the centre everything that happens, including the minor storylines, because she's by nature a sociable, feisty and adventurous young heroine. Sometimes she's annoying but it's impossible to dislike her because she was such a sweet and kind individual. Daniel, the H, is the polar opposite of Julia. He's cold, haughty, dislikes having fun, is always concerned about his image as the new Earl of Beaconswood and takes himself too seriously. Daniel spent most of the novel complaining and criticizing other characters' behaviour and life choices. This would've ended up being a 3 star rating but the author salvaged my opinion of Daniel by explaining, in detail, why he'd grown into such an unhumorous man. Mary Balogh also redeemed him at the end by turning him into a happier and more light hearted individual who finally accepted that he needed to have some sort of balance in his life.
Julia's an orphaned poor relation whose guardian left her in quite a financial bind after his death. The late Earl, whose late daughter had been Julia's stepmother, stipulated in his will that Julia will only be able to acquire his one unentailed estate if she marries one of his nephews. There are 5 nephews to choose from and the H is eldest; he's also the one who has inherited the old Earl's title and entailed properties. Daniel's greedy mother resents Julia but wants her son to maintain possession of the unentailed estate. The H, however, dislikes Julia intensely because she's not his idea of what a perfect Countess is supposed to be. He takes himself out of the running and it's up to the other 4 young men to court the heroine. Three of them are quite nice but Frederick is a rake with huge gambling debts. The confused Julia doesn't know what to do. She's reluctant to marry any of them because she's not attracted to them ( except for Daniel ) but she's also scared of ending up with her hateful relatives who live in the north of England.
What follow is a charming little story that focuses on the heroine's attempts to choose a husband from among these men. The MC's spend a lot of time arguing but they're unable to deny their attraction for each other. Daniel fights it more than Julia because he's already picked out an insipid, "suitable" debutante to whom he'd been on the verge of proposing. I was honestly annoyed with Daniel for most of this story. The term hoity toity could've been coined to epitomize this H. It's only in the latter half of the story that Daniel begins to loosen up a little and it all happens due to Julia. The heroine kept getting herself into wacky situations due to her love of adventure and Daniel often found himself right in the middle of all her drama. It seemed that he was the only one unlucky enough to be right there just when she decided to go swimming in the pond or riding wildly on her stallion. I loved how Julia challenged Daniel and forced him to accept the sexual attraction that they shared:
"You did not follow me because you were outraged," she said. "Or because you saw me as an unruly child in need of chastisement. Be honest with yourself, Daniel. You followed me because I am a woman. More woman than you have ever encountered before. More woman than you know what to do with."
And that ended up being quite prophetic because Daniel, while not being a rake, was not exactly experienced enough to deal with such an unmanageable Julia. He was unskilled in the art of casual flirtation and his sexual experiences had been strictly confined to his few former mistresses. Julia, while being a virgin ingenue, was still far too sensuous and free spirited for Daniel. He didn't know what to do with her and he was ashamed of the passion that he felt whenever she was near. There was no sex in this novel but the author included quite a few passionate make out scenes in the latter half of the story and it was wonderful to see the way Daniel unravelled in Julia's arms:
He had possessed many women, and had taken several of them with an energetic lust. He had never—not once—lost all touch with reality, been so absorbed with the woman in his arms that sensation had deprived him of thought and reason. Not once until just now, that was.
The last quarter of the novel was filled with grand drama when Frederick kidnapped Julia to take her to Gretna Green and force her to marry him. It's only then that Daniel finally becomes assertive and takes control of the situation. Frederick ended up developing a conscience at a last minute but the H was still there to save Julia and to propose to her. Daniel also proved his love for her by gifting the unentailed estate to her. There was also another minor romantic storyline between Daniel's sister and one of the other cousins. This novel wasn't filled with the usual type of London Ton and aristocratic ballroom regency drama because it's set entirely at the country estate. But it was a cute and refreshing traditional regency.
Safety: No sex, no OW drama. The H had been courting a debutante during the London season but his interaction with that lady had been platonic. The heroine kissed a couple of the OM ( the candidates for the post of her husband ) during the time she was trying to vet which one would be suitable.
This is Daniel, the H:
This is Julia, the heroine:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2018
Rating: 2 1/2 to 3 stars
This novel had its moments. At first, I didn't really like Julia/Jule or Daniel/Dan, as individuals or as a coupling. They both annoyed me. There were supporting characters I preferred more- Camilla, Malcolm, and Lesley. Still, it was readable and I especially enjoyed the theme of childhood's end, loss, and family. There were some tender scenes and noble moments with touches of Austen interspersed here and there without being predictable. I'm very pleased that I have read more of this author's later books to know that her works evolved to greater heights beyond these earlier publishings.
This novel had its moments. At first, I didn't really like Julia/Jule or Daniel/Dan, as individuals or as a coupling. They both annoyed me. There were supporting characters I preferred more- Camilla, Malcolm, and Lesley. Still, it was readable and I especially enjoyed the theme of childhood's end, loss, and family. There were some tender scenes and noble moments with touches of Austen interspersed here and there without being predictable. I'm very pleased that I have read more of this author's later books to know that her works evolved to greater heights beyond these earlier publishings.
October 26, 2008
Courting Julia was a traditional regency romance. While her "Slightly" series books are my favorites by Balogh, I also enjoy her regency romances. The heroine, Julia Maynard, was a sweet, carefree, likeable young woman who dreamed of a marriage filled with love. The hero, Daniel, Earl of Beaconswood, was a responsible man to whom duty and respectability were everything. His determination to always be honorable and upright was admirable, but his continued disapproval of the heroine quickly became annoying. This is the only book I have read by Balogh in which the physical relationship between the hero and heroine was not consummated during the story. Even her regency romances are normally rather steamy. This did not bother me as it normally would, mostly because I have read the books that come after this one and was eager to see how the series began.
Julia Maynard was orphaned and raised lovingly by her stepmother's father. He respected Julia's desire to marry for love, so did not compel her to accept any of the offers she received for marriage. On his deathbed, he is worried about her future, and changes his will in order to see her settled. Julia has one month to wed one of her five stepcousins, who will then inherit the lovely estate that has been her home. If an offer is not made and accepted, the estate will go to charity, and Julia will be sent to almost unknown maternal relatives who will only grudgingly accept her. Julia feels betrayed by the only grandfather she ever knew, and she hates the changes that his will makes to her comfortable relationships with her cousins. While four of her male cousins appear eager to wed her for the estate, her grandfather's heir, Daniel, immediately states that he would never marry her. Daniel believes that Julia is an undisciplined, ill-mannered hoyden who shows a shocking lack of propriety. Daniel and Julia have hated one another ever since he inherited a title and embraced respectibility at the age of fourteen. He has always been very vocal in his disapproval of Julia. While Julia is normally a circumspect young lady, it seems that on every occasion that she lets her decorum slip, Daniel is there to witness her lack of proper deportment. As Daniel watches his cousins try to win Julia's hand, he finds reasons that none of them will suit. He blames Julia and her improper behavior for the compelling attraction he feels toward her. As Julia realizes that she has feelings for this man who hates her, she knows that she will be unable to marry another. When she makes her plans not to marry at all known, one of her trusted cousins sets a reprehensible plan in motion. Daniel must rescue Julia and confront his own feelings.
This is one time that I am glad that I read a series out of order. I read the next book, Dancing with Clara, several years ago. The hero of Dancing with Clara book is Freddie, one of Julia's male cousins who is eager to marry her in this book. In Courting Julia, Freddie breaks Julia's trust and acts despicably toward her. Although he finds that he is not enough of a villain to carry his plans to fruition, he acts badly enough that I would have had a hard time seeing him as a hero in another book after reading this one. Although this mild, regency romance is not the typical type of book I read, it was enjoyable.
Julia Maynard was orphaned and raised lovingly by her stepmother's father. He respected Julia's desire to marry for love, so did not compel her to accept any of the offers she received for marriage. On his deathbed, he is worried about her future, and changes his will in order to see her settled. Julia has one month to wed one of her five stepcousins, who will then inherit the lovely estate that has been her home. If an offer is not made and accepted, the estate will go to charity, and Julia will be sent to almost unknown maternal relatives who will only grudgingly accept her. Julia feels betrayed by the only grandfather she ever knew, and she hates the changes that his will makes to her comfortable relationships with her cousins. While four of her male cousins appear eager to wed her for the estate, her grandfather's heir, Daniel, immediately states that he would never marry her. Daniel believes that Julia is an undisciplined, ill-mannered hoyden who shows a shocking lack of propriety. Daniel and Julia have hated one another ever since he inherited a title and embraced respectibility at the age of fourteen. He has always been very vocal in his disapproval of Julia. While Julia is normally a circumspect young lady, it seems that on every occasion that she lets her decorum slip, Daniel is there to witness her lack of proper deportment. As Daniel watches his cousins try to win Julia's hand, he finds reasons that none of them will suit. He blames Julia and her improper behavior for the compelling attraction he feels toward her. As Julia realizes that she has feelings for this man who hates her, she knows that she will be unable to marry another. When she makes her plans not to marry at all known, one of her trusted cousins sets a reprehensible plan in motion. Daniel must rescue Julia and confront his own feelings.
This is one time that I am glad that I read a series out of order. I read the next book, Dancing with Clara, several years ago. The hero of Dancing with Clara book is Freddie, one of Julia's male cousins who is eager to marry her in this book. In Courting Julia, Freddie breaks Julia's trust and acts despicably toward her. Although he finds that he is not enough of a villain to carry his plans to fruition, he acts badly enough that I would have had a hard time seeing him as a hero in another book after reading this one. Although this mild, regency romance is not the typical type of book I read, it was enjoyable.
October 15, 2017
It was a nice Regency romance, with a little humor, banter between main heroes and amusing characters.
I am not sure why I haven't enjoyed it more. I think that Mary Balogh's style of writing doesn't satisfy me like e.g. Joan Smith's, Clare Darcy's or Marion Chesney's. I really don't know why. Perhaps it is because Balogh's pen is more modern (although, I don't mind sexual tension). Nonetheless, I have enjoyed it, somewhere between 2-3 stars. And I will read more her romances because her books are simply available.
I am not sure why I haven't enjoyed it more. I think that Mary Balogh's style of writing doesn't satisfy me like e.g. Joan Smith's, Clare Darcy's or Marion Chesney's. I really don't know why. Perhaps it is because Balogh's pen is more modern (although, I don't mind sexual tension). Nonetheless, I have enjoyed it, somewhere between 2-3 stars. And I will read more her romances because her books are simply available.
June 5, 2023
Mary Balogh did not disappoint me with this one. Even though Daniel was highly conservative and was always trying to correct our heroine, there was a deep hidden lust in him for her. And Julia was totally a freedom loving spirit.
It was fun to watch them come together.
The strange thing was that all her suitors were basically her adopted family that she grew up with.
It was fun to watch them come together.
The strange thing was that all her suitors were basically her adopted family that she grew up with.
June 24, 2021
3.5 stars… this is a tough one to rate! I really liked some parts of this story; it’s different and kept my attention. But other parts, like the feelings of love between the H&h, didn’t feel very well developed. I felt like their sudden realizations that they were both in love were too sudden. Also, the ending was just too quick and no epilogue means I’m left disappointed!
So this is the story of Julia, an orphan who has lived with her step-grandfather for most of her life. He took her in after the death of her parents when she was just 8 and raised her as his own. He is an Earl and dies shortly after the start of the book, leaving in his will an odd stipulation to force Julia into marriage. If she agrees to marry one of her 5 step-cousins within a month, the estate where they have lived together will be her’s and her husband’s. If she doesn’t marry any of them, she will be left nothing and be sent to live with some relatives. Julia is outraged but feels forced to consider her options. This has some good enemies to lovers trope action going on…Daniel, who she dislikes the most out of them all is also the hero of this story.
I will add that MB def made the hero and heroine into opposites in a too extreme way. The hero was perfectly respectable and observed all proprieties always. Meanwhile, the heroine was often too wild. She did some truly reckless things and didn’t ever want to admit her faults. I think MB took her from a refreshing and adventurous heroine to a purely stupid one several times throughout the story. I lost my respect for the heroine fairly early on.
Safety is ok; hero is ready to propose to OW and spends a good chunk of the first half pining to get back to her and make things official, but she is soon forgotten. Heroine is kissed by OM, one of her step-cousins. No sex scenes.
So this is the story of Julia, an orphan who has lived with her step-grandfather for most of her life. He took her in after the death of her parents when she was just 8 and raised her as his own. He is an Earl and dies shortly after the start of the book, leaving in his will an odd stipulation to force Julia into marriage. If she agrees to marry one of her 5 step-cousins within a month, the estate where they have lived together will be her’s and her husband’s. If she doesn’t marry any of them, she will be left nothing and be sent to live with some relatives. Julia is outraged but feels forced to consider her options. This has some good enemies to lovers trope action going on…Daniel, who she dislikes the most out of them all is also the hero of this story.
I will add that MB def made the hero and heroine into opposites in a too extreme way. The hero was perfectly respectable and observed all proprieties always. Meanwhile, the heroine was often too wild. She did some truly reckless things and didn’t ever want to admit her faults. I think MB took her from a refreshing and adventurous heroine to a purely stupid one several times throughout the story. I lost my respect for the heroine fairly early on.
Safety is ok; hero is ready to propose to OW and spends a good chunk of the first half pining to get back to her and make things official, but she is soon forgotten. Heroine is kissed by OM, one of her step-cousins. No sex scenes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2018
Lovely Read!
Daniel and Julia are so perfect to each other if only they did not hate one another so much.
A meddling step-grandfather, some ambitious cousins, two high spirited individuals in denial of their feelings.
He could learn to have more fun, she could learn not to be so impulsive. I enjoyed this book very much!
Daniel and Julia are so perfect to each other if only they did not hate one another so much.
A meddling step-grandfather, some ambitious cousins, two high spirited individuals in denial of their feelings.
He could learn to have more fun, she could learn not to be so impulsive. I enjoyed this book very much!
December 7, 2017
I have never been a fan of hoydens. This novel does nothing to change my mind.
June 30, 2020
Uma história apaixonante, com diálogos envolventes e afiados, muita tensão, com dois apaixonados no melhor estilo eu te amo, eu te odeio! Pena que acaba rápido.
April 29, 2017
Not a favorite Balogh
One of the things I hate about a heroine I
in a romance is her childish, immature behaviour. And it is worse when story suggests that the heroine is adorable and likable because of that behavior.
And that's what Julia is to me in this book. Childish, immature, irritating. And I'm definitely tired of her constantly reminding everybody that she hates the hero. By the time they finally got together and declared their love -at the very last - I was no longer convinced of their love or HEA.
One of the things I hate about a heroine I
in a romance is her childish, immature behaviour. And it is worse when story suggests that the heroine is adorable and likable because of that behavior.
And that's what Julia is to me in this book. Childish, immature, irritating. And I'm definitely tired of her constantly reminding everybody that she hates the hero. By the time they finally got together and declared their love -at the very last - I was no longer convinced of their love or HEA.
February 19, 2024
Julia Maynard has grown up surrounded by the love of her step-grandfather, in Primrose Park, which has always been home. Now Grandpapa is dead, and his will stipulates that Julia should marry one of the five step-cousins whom she’s known as a child; that man will then inherit Primrose Park. If Julia refuses to marry any of them, she must go to live with her (unwelcoming) relatives in the north.
Julia can’t imagine being married to rakish Freddie, shy Les, stiff and reticent Malcolm, brotherly Gussie—or, worst of all, the standoffish, rude, and too-high-in-the-instep Daniel. He hates her, and she has always disliked him intensely.
This mutual dislike between Julia and Daniel was so overdone, it really irritated me. Yes, people may hate each other that much; but for it to then turn suddenly into love? For them to realize that hate is very akin to love and they’ve actually been in love, not hate, all this while? A little bit of a long shot, really. And when you don’t make any concerted effort to show conversation (beyond bickering), understanding, any real connect other than steamy sex… it doesn’t work, not for me.
Didn’t like this, wouldn’t recommend. For a more detailed review, check my blog post, here.
Julia can’t imagine being married to rakish Freddie, shy Les, stiff and reticent Malcolm, brotherly Gussie—or, worst of all, the standoffish, rude, and too-high-in-the-instep Daniel. He hates her, and she has always disliked him intensely.
This mutual dislike between Julia and Daniel was so overdone, it really irritated me. Yes, people may hate each other that much; but for it to then turn suddenly into love? For them to realize that hate is very akin to love and they’ve actually been in love, not hate, all this while? A little bit of a long shot, really. And when you don’t make any concerted effort to show conversation (beyond bickering), understanding, any real connect other than steamy sex… it doesn’t work, not for me.
Didn’t like this, wouldn’t recommend. For a more detailed review, check my blog post, here.
Read
November 12, 2025julia maynard si trova all'improvviso ad essere un ereditiera e coinvolta dal nonno in una gara dove lei è il premio.
potrà rimanere nella sua amata tenuta di campagna dove è cresciuta solo se sposerà uno dei cugini.
chi la spunterà?
un libro banale e a tratti noioso.
ogni azione è super scontata ed è intuibile già dall'inizio come andrà a finire.
julia è una " selvaggia" che detesta le convenzioni e per questo si scontra perennemente con daniel.
ma ha anche una bellezza e un fuoco dentro che affascina chiunque le sta intorno.
daniel è dovuto crescere troppo in fretta quindi ha abbandonato quella spensieratezza tipica dei ragazzi per diventare un uomo tutto d'un pezzo ligio alle regole e ai canoni di comportamento che la sua posizione richiedono
ho trovato molti dialoghi banali e surreali.
sostanzialmente è una lettura che ti permette di passare qualche ora di leggerezza e senza pensieri.
potrà rimanere nella sua amata tenuta di campagna dove è cresciuta solo se sposerà uno dei cugini.
chi la spunterà?
un libro banale e a tratti noioso.
ogni azione è super scontata ed è intuibile già dall'inizio come andrà a finire.
julia è una " selvaggia" che detesta le convenzioni e per questo si scontra perennemente con daniel.
ma ha anche una bellezza e un fuoco dentro che affascina chiunque le sta intorno.
daniel è dovuto crescere troppo in fretta quindi ha abbandonato quella spensieratezza tipica dei ragazzi per diventare un uomo tutto d'un pezzo ligio alle regole e ai canoni di comportamento che la sua posizione richiedono
ho trovato molti dialoghi banali e surreali.
sostanzialmente è una lettura che ti permette di passare qualche ora di leggerezza e senza pensieri.
October 22, 2024
A Slightly Dangerous prototype? It Happened One Autumn inspo? Always fun to read a Balogh and see similarities or connections to bits of future books.
June 6, 2017
Enjoyable historical romance set in England with excellent writing. Very entertaining and I had to keep going until I finished. I'm looking forward to reading more of these older books as the author releases them.
(My only criticism was that in the Kindle ebook, the word "I" was often typed with a number 1 - especially the latter chapters - the publisher should check this)
(My only criticism was that in the Kindle ebook, the word "I" was often typed with a number 1 - especially the latter chapters - the publisher should check this)
February 14, 2023
The premise of this was great, it felt like the bachelorette. hoyden/starchy hero pairing. Loving family all up in everyone’s business. Clever FMC. childhood friends who hate each other because they love each other.
January 29, 2008
I read another of Mary Balogh’s old traditional regencies this weekend. Courting Julia is the first in a trilogy but somehow I managed to read the other 2 first. I really enjoy these smaller books about the regency period where the emphasis is more on the social manners and behaviour of the character.
In this book Julia’s grandfather dies and in his will he leaves his unentailed estate to Julia on the condition she marries one of her 5 cousins within a month of his death. Julia is both surprised and devastated with this clause that leaves her unable to privately grieve for her grandfather and the object of her cousins interest because she is now a great heiress. All the cousins show some interest except for Daniel, the heir to the title. A former play mate of Julia he went away when he inherited his father’s estate and had to deal with new responsibilities. He still sees Julia as an irresponsible young woman, always playing games and having fun. And she sees him has a bore who forgot how to enjoy himself and only cares about convention.
I thought the 2 main characters were planned to be true opposites, Julia is too wild and Daniel too conservative and that was a bit too much imho. It would have been more real if they weren’t such extreme characters that spent half the book believing that they hated each other and after Julia finds herself in danger suddenly realise they love each other.
Just as a side note the villain in this book is the main character of the next one, Dancing With Clara.
Not Balogh at it’s best but still an enjoyable read. A B.
In this book Julia’s grandfather dies and in his will he leaves his unentailed estate to Julia on the condition she marries one of her 5 cousins within a month of his death. Julia is both surprised and devastated with this clause that leaves her unable to privately grieve for her grandfather and the object of her cousins interest because she is now a great heiress. All the cousins show some interest except for Daniel, the heir to the title. A former play mate of Julia he went away when he inherited his father’s estate and had to deal with new responsibilities. He still sees Julia as an irresponsible young woman, always playing games and having fun. And she sees him has a bore who forgot how to enjoy himself and only cares about convention.
I thought the 2 main characters were planned to be true opposites, Julia is too wild and Daniel too conservative and that was a bit too much imho. It would have been more real if they weren’t such extreme characters that spent half the book believing that they hated each other and after Julia finds herself in danger suddenly realise they love each other.
Just as a side note the villain in this book is the main character of the next one, Dancing With Clara.
Not Balogh at it’s best but still an enjoyable read. A B.
January 24, 2015
I loved the concept of this book. A woman has to be vied for by 5 men and has to choose one, so she isnt sent to her relatives. Its like the "Modern Bachelorette" only a million times better. Julia has a month to choose among her 5 cousins ( Daniel, Frederick, Lesley, Malcolm and Augustus.) Each different in their own way. However, sparks flew the most when she sparred with Daniel.
Daniel annoyed me and intrigued me. To someone who has no idea what is on his mind, (like Julia), he comes across as a stuffy, supercilious man who I dearly want to slap.
I enjoyed the way Julia talked to each and every one of her suitors and got to know them (or not). I didnt even find Freddie that distasteful this book as I do in Dancing with Clara. But I still felt that there was something missing between Daniel and Julia. Sure, they were passionate, but I think till they had the "talk in the tree", I didnt really want to see these two together. More so, for Daniel being an absolute ass. But he redeems himself and lets lose his emotions and I like how Julia is still herself and Daniel wants her for that.
Takeaway: Love is about accepting the other as they are.
Daniel annoyed me and intrigued me. To someone who has no idea what is on his mind, (like Julia), he comes across as a stuffy, supercilious man who I dearly want to slap.
I enjoyed the way Julia talked to each and every one of her suitors and got to know them (or not). I didnt even find Freddie that distasteful this book as I do in Dancing with Clara. But I still felt that there was something missing between Daniel and Julia. Sure, they were passionate, but I think till they had the "talk in the tree", I didnt really want to see these two together. More so, for Daniel being an absolute ass. But he redeems himself and lets lose his emotions and I like how Julia is still herself and Daniel wants her for that.
Takeaway: Love is about accepting the other as they are.
June 6, 2017
Julia era a neta por afinidade ou postiça do Conde de Beaconswood, que a amava com uma verdadeira neta e a criara desde que seus pais tinham morrido. No entanto, com o desejo de vê-la casada e segura, ao morrer deixou no testamento que para herdar a propriedade onde crescera teria que casar com um dos seus cinco primos. Então, quatro deles entraram numa disputa para casar com ela. Somente o sisudo, responsável e sempre crítico Daniel que não tinha intenção de desposá-la. Pois a considerava inadequada para ser sua esposa.
Julia era uma moça vivaz de 21 anos que não respeitava as convenções, usava calças masculinas, nadava no lago, coisas que Daniel via como falta de decoro e por isso eles discutiam por tudo e um sentimento de desprezo crescera entre os dois. Mais o que será que esse ódio escondia?
Muitos personagens aparecem neste romance e fiquei um pouco perdida em meio a tantos. Destaco Camilla e Malcon e Fred que vai ser o catalisador desta história.
As discussões entre os personagens principais são bens descritas. É uma boa leitura, com algumas cenas ardentes. Para se ler numa tarde chuvosa sem muita pretensão. Este livro faz parte de uma série.
Dou 3,5.
Julia era uma moça vivaz de 21 anos que não respeitava as convenções, usava calças masculinas, nadava no lago, coisas que Daniel via como falta de decoro e por isso eles discutiam por tudo e um sentimento de desprezo crescera entre os dois. Mais o que será que esse ódio escondia?
Muitos personagens aparecem neste romance e fiquei um pouco perdida em meio a tantos. Destaco Camilla e Malcon e Fred que vai ser o catalisador desta história.
As discussões entre os personagens principais são bens descritas. É uma boa leitura, com algumas cenas ardentes. Para se ler numa tarde chuvosa sem muita pretensão. Este livro faz parte de uma série.
Dou 3,5.
January 23, 2013
While I really enjoyed this older trad, I suspect that the hero's behavior will really irritate some readers. The hero of Courting Julia is of the ilk that blames the woman for (gasp!) arousing him. For example, the hero comes upon the heroine swimming in a lake and berates her for doing so because it makes him all hot and bothered. Although I don't usually care for blame-the-heroine behavior, Balogh constructs the hero's childhood in a way that allows readers to see that in "blaming" the heroine, the hero is simply deflecting his own self-loathing. He's furious with himself for a perceived loss of control, and takes it out on her.
While this isn't admirable behavior, Balogh makes it realistic and believable. I found the hero to be a sympathetic character as a result, though many readers probably won't.
Courting Julia is at heart a serious book that throws the powerless condition of women into high relief. It's not frothy or particularly light-hearted, though the heroine consistently brightens the page with spunk and independence and avoids being TSTL.
While this isn't admirable behavior, Balogh makes it realistic and believable. I found the hero to be a sympathetic character as a result, though many readers probably won't.
Courting Julia is at heart a serious book that throws the powerless condition of women into high relief. It's not frothy or particularly light-hearted, though the heroine consistently brightens the page with spunk and independence and avoids being TSTL.
May 6, 2024
It was a somewhat enjoyable book, with the exception of the Like, NO. Anyway, there were other issues which other commenters have mentioned so I won't. Because those really aren't my main issue with this book.
My main beef with this book is that I recently got into Georgette Heyer (I KNOW. IDK why I overlooked her for so long!) and realized that the plot of this book is a poorly disguised, if at all, copy of the entire plot of Cotillion. Well, I assume, because I stopped reading Cotillion after the first couple of chapters because it was so similar and so close to when I read this one, and I wasn't THAT into this book.
If I'm not mistaken, the MMC of this book even has basically the same name as the MMC of Cotillion?!
Anyhow, someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but I was like, wait I just read this plot in a more recent novel. And came to find it, and it was this one.
My main beef with this book is that I recently got into Georgette Heyer (I KNOW. IDK why I overlooked her for so long!) and realized that the plot of this book is a poorly disguised, if at all, copy of the entire plot of Cotillion. Well, I assume, because I stopped reading Cotillion after the first couple of chapters because it was so similar and so close to when I read this one, and I wasn't THAT into this book.
If I'm not mistaken, the MMC of this book even has basically the same name as the MMC of Cotillion?!
Anyhow, someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but I was like, wait I just read this plot in a more recent novel. And came to find it, and it was this one.
May 11, 2017
Okay honestly I'm still in the middle of it but the end is a foregone conclusion. I like the heroine. She calls the hero on his bull. But the hero is a constant red flag. His behavior is abusive, not charming. Virtually everything he says consists of slut shaming the heroine and blaming her for his feelings and actions. I'm having a hard time believing I'll be convinced they'll be happy together by the end of this.
March 24, 2015
It was ok. Dancing with Clara is still my favorite from the series though. I think I like the second couple better than the main one. I liked Julia here though (I sorta hated her in dancing with clara).
November 18, 2013
A very good Mary Balogh Regency. Julia is one of her wildest and most outspoken heroines, and the hero is very stuffy and uptight. Don't miss the horse race and the tree climbing scene where they really challenge each other to open up!
April 16, 2017
Enjoyable read but not up to Ms. Balogh's usual standards as far as content is concerned. Excellent writing, nevertheless.
March 21, 2014
I adored this book! Loved the cat and dog "fighting" between Daniel and Julia :) this is one of Ms. Balogh's classic regency novels that shouldn't be missed!
July 6, 2015
it was an okay read (as far as i can remember). but Heyer's Cotillion was better!
January 4, 2024
3 Estrellitas. Echaba de menos a mi señora Balogh, y ya que las editoriales españolas nos la tienen olvidada, no cejo en mi empeño de seguir leyéndola por mi cuenta.
Esta vez he estrenado el año con una de sus novelas viejillas, "Courting Julia", el primer libro de la trilogía Sullivan. Publicado en 1993 por la editorial Signet, que ahora equivaldría (más o menos) a lo que es Harlequin Internacional. Libros cortos, sencillos, más bien blanquitos, pero que entretienen.
"Courting Julia" nos lleva a la campiña inglesa, donde Julia Maynard es una joven huérfana a la que crió con toda la pompa y comodidad el conde de Beaconswood, el padre de su madrastra. Julia ha sido criada como una dama y fue amada por el conde como si este hubiese sido su propio abuelo. Pero el anciano está muy frágil y enfermo y quiere que Julia se case, pero a la vez, sabe que Julia jamás será feliz lejos de Primrose Park, la mansión campestre del conde, que no está vinculada al título.
En Primrose Park, Julia ha sido completamente feliz, sobre todo en aquellos veranos en que venían los sobrinos del viejo conde, para ella como si hubiesen sido sus propios primos, pero algunos fueron cambiando con el transcurrir de los años, sobre todo Daniel, el sobrino y heredero del conde.
Una vez muerto el conde de Beaconswood, toda la familia acude al funeral y a la lectura del testamento. Todos piensan que Primrose Park va a ser para Julia, pero el viejo conde tenía un as guardado bajo la manga. Julia ha disfrutado de varias temporadas en Londres, y aunque tenía una generosa dote, no ha logrado ni enamorarse, ni casarse, y el viejo conde no estaba dispuesto a que Julia estuviese sola y sin un marido protector. De modo que dispuso en su testamento que Primrose Park sería para uno de los cinco sobrinos que tiene en edad casadera, si en el período de un mes desde la lectura del testamento, consigue prometerse con Julia.
Así que Julia tiene un mes para decidirse entre uno de sus cinco pretendientes. Si pasado el mes, no consigue prometerse, Julia irá a vivir al norte con unos parientes de su padre, y Primrose Park será donado a una sociedad benéfica.
De modo que ahí es donde empieza la caza, entre los cinco primos se hallan los hermanos Frederick y Lesley, pero Frederick es un granuja despilfarrador y Lesley un memo. También se halla el tímido Malcolm, y el alegre Augustus, pero este último es el mejor amigo de Julia y además de su edad, y nadie de la familia cree apropiado que se casen. Y por último, se encuentra Daniel, el nuevo conde de Beaconswood.
El problema es que Daniel tiene el ojo echado en una señorita de Londres para convertirla en su condesa, y por otro lado, nunca, jamás de los jamases, se habría replanteado casarse con Julia. Daniel perdió pronto a su padre, un hombre despilfarrador y sin escrúpulos, y desde muy joven se convirtió en un hombre serio y responsable para quien la rectitud y el orgullo lo han sido todo para el buen nombre de su familia. Daniel siempre ha pensado que Julia es una criatura vulgar y escandalosa, en los últimos años no han tenido trato, y cuando lo ha habido siempre acaban discutiendo porque a sus ojos Julia siempre hace algo mal.
Este es el planteamiento del libro y realmente se hace entretenido como todos los primos (excepto Daniel) intentan acercarse a Julia e intentar cortejarla en ese mes para poder ganarse Primrose Park, pero no será sencillo. Julia sí quiere casarse, pero quiere casarse por amor, y ninguno de esos primos cumple ese requisito, sabe que sería una buena esposa y que cualquiera de los primos se desviviría por hacerla feliz, pero para ella no es suficiente.
En ese mes pasarán muchas cosas, hasta que ese estallido entre Julia y Daniel se convierta en algo más, y ¿cómo pasarán de odiarse a enamorarse? a mi juicio, demasiado rápido y abrupto, y es lo que me ha fallado. No he entendido en ningún momento cuando se enamora uno de otro. Sí, la línea entre el amor y el odio es muy delgada, pero Julia y Daniel pasan de estar discutiendo a besarse y de ahí a darse cuenta de que son el uno para el otro pero muy al final de la historia.
El libro en el fondo está bien, funciona, la historia está bien planteada y la triquiñuela del testamento está bien pensada, pero aquí no he encontrado a mi señora Balogh de toda la vida. Será porque es bastante viejillo, pero no me atrevo a decir que es de los primeros, porque no lo es. O quizás porque a mis ojos me ha resultado muy harlequinero, a la vez que blanco, sí; aquí no encontraréis escenas de sexo, es todo muy austeniano y correcto, según el estilo Balogh.
En el fondo me ha gustado, pero no es de sus mejores obras. Lo que sí es cierto, es que los primos me han picado lo suficiente como para leer el resto de la trilogía.
Esta vez he estrenado el año con una de sus novelas viejillas, "Courting Julia", el primer libro de la trilogía Sullivan. Publicado en 1993 por la editorial Signet, que ahora equivaldría (más o menos) a lo que es Harlequin Internacional. Libros cortos, sencillos, más bien blanquitos, pero que entretienen.
"Courting Julia" nos lleva a la campiña inglesa, donde Julia Maynard es una joven huérfana a la que crió con toda la pompa y comodidad el conde de Beaconswood, el padre de su madrastra. Julia ha sido criada como una dama y fue amada por el conde como si este hubiese sido su propio abuelo. Pero el anciano está muy frágil y enfermo y quiere que Julia se case, pero a la vez, sabe que Julia jamás será feliz lejos de Primrose Park, la mansión campestre del conde, que no está vinculada al título.
En Primrose Park, Julia ha sido completamente feliz, sobre todo en aquellos veranos en que venían los sobrinos del viejo conde, para ella como si hubiesen sido sus propios primos, pero algunos fueron cambiando con el transcurrir de los años, sobre todo Daniel, el sobrino y heredero del conde.
Una vez muerto el conde de Beaconswood, toda la familia acude al funeral y a la lectura del testamento. Todos piensan que Primrose Park va a ser para Julia, pero el viejo conde tenía un as guardado bajo la manga. Julia ha disfrutado de varias temporadas en Londres, y aunque tenía una generosa dote, no ha logrado ni enamorarse, ni casarse, y el viejo conde no estaba dispuesto a que Julia estuviese sola y sin un marido protector. De modo que dispuso en su testamento que Primrose Park sería para uno de los cinco sobrinos que tiene en edad casadera, si en el período de un mes desde la lectura del testamento, consigue prometerse con Julia.
Así que Julia tiene un mes para decidirse entre uno de sus cinco pretendientes. Si pasado el mes, no consigue prometerse, Julia irá a vivir al norte con unos parientes de su padre, y Primrose Park será donado a una sociedad benéfica.
De modo que ahí es donde empieza la caza, entre los cinco primos se hallan los hermanos Frederick y Lesley, pero Frederick es un granuja despilfarrador y Lesley un memo. También se halla el tímido Malcolm, y el alegre Augustus, pero este último es el mejor amigo de Julia y además de su edad, y nadie de la familia cree apropiado que se casen. Y por último, se encuentra Daniel, el nuevo conde de Beaconswood.
El problema es que Daniel tiene el ojo echado en una señorita de Londres para convertirla en su condesa, y por otro lado, nunca, jamás de los jamases, se habría replanteado casarse con Julia. Daniel perdió pronto a su padre, un hombre despilfarrador y sin escrúpulos, y desde muy joven se convirtió en un hombre serio y responsable para quien la rectitud y el orgullo lo han sido todo para el buen nombre de su familia. Daniel siempre ha pensado que Julia es una criatura vulgar y escandalosa, en los últimos años no han tenido trato, y cuando lo ha habido siempre acaban discutiendo porque a sus ojos Julia siempre hace algo mal.
Este es el planteamiento del libro y realmente se hace entretenido como todos los primos (excepto Daniel) intentan acercarse a Julia e intentar cortejarla en ese mes para poder ganarse Primrose Park, pero no será sencillo. Julia sí quiere casarse, pero quiere casarse por amor, y ninguno de esos primos cumple ese requisito, sabe que sería una buena esposa y que cualquiera de los primos se desviviría por hacerla feliz, pero para ella no es suficiente.
En ese mes pasarán muchas cosas, hasta que ese estallido entre Julia y Daniel se convierta en algo más, y ¿cómo pasarán de odiarse a enamorarse? a mi juicio, demasiado rápido y abrupto, y es lo que me ha fallado. No he entendido en ningún momento cuando se enamora uno de otro. Sí, la línea entre el amor y el odio es muy delgada, pero Julia y Daniel pasan de estar discutiendo a besarse y de ahí a darse cuenta de que son el uno para el otro pero muy al final de la historia.
El libro en el fondo está bien, funciona, la historia está bien planteada y la triquiñuela del testamento está bien pensada, pero aquí no he encontrado a mi señora Balogh de toda la vida. Será porque es bastante viejillo, pero no me atrevo a decir que es de los primeros, porque no lo es. O quizás porque a mis ojos me ha resultado muy harlequinero, a la vez que blanco, sí; aquí no encontraréis escenas de sexo, es todo muy austeniano y correcto, según el estilo Balogh.
En el fondo me ha gustado, pero no es de sus mejores obras. Lo que sí es cierto, es que los primos me han picado lo suficiente como para leer el resto de la trilogía.
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March 6, 2022Courting Julia, Book 1 of the Sullivan series, was about Miss Julia Maynard, step-granddaughter (the above blurb said he was her step-father, but the book said step-grandfather) to the Earl of Beaconswood, and Daniel, Viscount Yorke, the new Earl of Beaconswood.
Julia's father had married the Earl's daughter when she was just five years old, thus making her his step-granddaughter. He was worried about what would become of her upon his death, so he had his will updated to specify she would inherit one of his unentailed properties...IF she married one of her five step-cousins within a month of his death. One of those step-cousins included Lord Daniel, the new Earl of Beaconswood, whom she detested and who, in turn, did not care for her.
Dear Lord in heaven, both the angst and the drama in this story were off the charts...and unnecessarily so! This was a badly written story, with very little relief from the tension, angst, drama, and all the other negative emotions that were poured into it. No humor was given, no light-heartedness to make the book enjoyable. There were more characters to detest than to like. Even the love scenes did not make up for all the bad scenes. Some of the things that took place were absolutely heinous, while others were just a tad shy of deplorable.
The two main characters hated each other from the opening to just the beginning of the final chapter. How, then, does the author expect to turn things around in the last half of the final pages and have them finally admit to loving one another...especially after the horrible things that happened immediately before? I could not give this book any stars. It was poorly done and with even worse characters, none of which exhibited an iota of maturity, integrity, or strength of character. It was, in fact, one of the worst books I've ever read, and, knowing what is to come in the rest of the series, I will not be reading the two books that follow.
Julia's father had married the Earl's daughter when she was just five years old, thus making her his step-granddaughter. He was worried about what would become of her upon his death, so he had his will updated to specify she would inherit one of his unentailed properties...IF she married one of her five step-cousins within a month of his death. One of those step-cousins included Lord Daniel, the new Earl of Beaconswood, whom she detested and who, in turn, did not care for her.
Dear Lord in heaven, both the angst and the drama in this story were off the charts...and unnecessarily so! This was a badly written story, with very little relief from the tension, angst, drama, and all the other negative emotions that were poured into it. No humor was given, no light-heartedness to make the book enjoyable. There were more characters to detest than to like. Even the love scenes did not make up for all the bad scenes. Some of the things that took place were absolutely heinous, while others were just a tad shy of deplorable.
The two main characters hated each other from the opening to just the beginning of the final chapter. How, then, does the author expect to turn things around in the last half of the final pages and have them finally admit to loving one another...especially after the horrible things that happened immediately before? I could not give this book any stars. It was poorly done and with even worse characters, none of which exhibited an iota of maturity, integrity, or strength of character. It was, in fact, one of the worst books I've ever read, and, knowing what is to come in the rest of the series, I will not be reading the two books that follow.
April 8, 2019
The summary of the books content as it appears in goodreads is not quite right, as Julia is not enraptured by Frederick. Her deceased Step-Grandfather willed his unentailed estate to Julia on the precondition that she chooses a husband among one of her step-cousins.
It is so endearing to read how Julia cannot decide whom to choose because she grew up with all of them being as dear to her as real brothers, except Daniel.
The villain in this book is Frederick, although revealing this fact is not really a spoiler. He even abducts her with the intention of raping her, so that she will have to choose him as a husband. The further developments made me understand his stance and made him even redeemable.
What I did not like is Julia‘s character, which I perceived as flighty and garish. I understand she was a hoyden as a child, which means she was mischief personified at that time. Daniel is simply starchy and considers himself above everyone. Above all he denies himself „fun“ as he thinks that to be undignified and not in accordance with duty and responsibility. His „un -starching“ is unfortunately given too short a space in this book.
It is so endearing to read how Julia cannot decide whom to choose because she grew up with all of them being as dear to her as real brothers, except Daniel.
The villain in this book is Frederick, although revealing this fact is not really a spoiler. He even abducts her with the intention of raping her, so that she will have to choose him as a husband. The further developments made me understand his stance and made him even redeemable.
What I did not like is Julia‘s character, which I perceived as flighty and garish. I understand she was a hoyden as a child, which means she was mischief personified at that time. Daniel is simply starchy and considers himself above everyone. Above all he denies himself „fun“ as he thinks that to be undignified and not in accordance with duty and responsibility. His „un -starching“ is unfortunately given too short a space in this book.
July 23, 2017
This is the first Mary Balogh that I did not like at all. In fact, I almost put it down without finishing. For a change, she has made very shallow characters here, and the "romance" is built on the theory that if you constantly quarrel with someone and feel that you hate them, but are sexually attracted, then this is "love." That is a horrible & damaging premise that has done harm to the minds of untold thousands of young woman over the decades. I am very sorry to see it promulgated in one of Mary's novels.
The whole novel was rather slapdash, with fairly flat characters that did not capture me. It almost made me think that Ms. Balogh might be tired of romance - or out of ideas. I don't recommend it.
The whole novel was rather slapdash, with fairly flat characters that did not capture me. It almost made me think that Ms. Balogh might be tired of romance - or out of ideas. I don't recommend it.
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