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Cressida
Heartless Flirt?Cressida Calverton was gay, lively and attractive in an unconventional way. But though in her late twenties she was still unmarried. Jilted by Captain Deverell she had never since been able to face the prospect of giving her hand to another. And now she had the reputation of a heartless, scheming flirt.The return of Captain Deverell into her life and the further heartbreaks that bar the road to happiness are the theme of Clare Darcy's latest Regency romance, the tenth in the sequence that has won her world-wide acclain as the true successor to Georgette Heyer.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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About the author
Clare Darcy
28 books57 followersBorn in Ohio.
Widely considered the best of those inspired by Georgette Heyer, Darcy wrote a number of regency romances with intelligent, sparkling heroines.
A pseudonym for Mary Deasy
Information for place of birth from the jacket of one of Ms Darcy's books
Widely considered the best of those inspired by Georgette Heyer, Darcy wrote a number of regency romances with intelligent, sparkling heroines.
A pseudonym for Mary Deasy
Information for place of birth from the jacket of one of Ms Darcy's books
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 13, 2015
I think it's high time we have a "Part 2" of
Things Regency Novels Have Taught Me
:
1. Q-u-a-r-r-e-l-i-n-g H/h: they always, always, always end up together. One would think that two people who are totally incapable of being in the same room together for more than two minutes without coming to dagger-drawing would much better have nothing to do with each other again, but no, apparently if they quarrel all the time it means they are soulmates.
2. Well, apparently, if you are the hero, you can do so by swoony-kissing the sh*t out of the heroine.
3. Thirdly...I...uh...hmmm...what was I saying???
AH YES! THE SMOLDERING LOOKS! If the hero is constantly staring at you, for heaven's sake, he doesn't disapprove, he strongly, strongly APPROVES!!
I repeat, HE STRONGLY APPROVES!!!
4. Don't underestimate the power of fashion...fan fluttering...lacy parasols...and a"shockingly expensive new bonnet calculated to make the bones of any even moderately susceptible member of the male sex turn to water when he saw it set upon a crown of tawny curls and shading a pair of the most brilliantly sparkling eyes in all England" ;) Get it right, ladies!
5. And, for the Lord's sake, I've said it before and I'll say it again, don't lead men on when you have no intention of accepting their hand in marriage!!! Seems to me to be pure common sense, but apparently not so for some of our dear heroines.
***
If you enjoy Georgette Heyer and love Regency stories that are more "comedy of manners" than "romance", with lots of descriptions of clothing & mannerisms, this charming book is for you! Very similar to Bath Tangle, with a dash of Devil's Cub, this madcap comedy of estranged couples and mismatched lovers is absolutely hilarious, and, I promise you, loads and loads of fun. It's incredibly predictable, especially if you've read the two above-mentioned Georgette Heyer novels, but still, it's a great ride and a perfectly delightful read.
I mean, you know, the hero pretty much greets the heroine with: "After all, when one has been engaged as often as you have, the matter no doubt becomes something of a commonplace. I believe I recall hearing that you were engaged to a viscount when I visited England briefly several years ago; now, if gossip I correct, we are shortly to felicitate you upon your betrothal to a marquis. May I enquire if it is your intention to stop at this point and actually marry this gentleman, or are you holding out for a duke?".
Picked Cressida up on a whim because The Hobbit was getting tedious and I was in Regency mood, and I can tell you, it certainly did not disappoint. I chuckled the entire time, it was so silly and fun.
The only reason I can't give it a full 5 stars is because compared to Bath Tangle, to which it is so very similar, I really much prefer the latter. And also - and please correct me if I'm wrong, I've only read two Clare Darcy novels - I am finding that there is no great difference between Darcy's various heroes and heroines. I found it hard to imagine Cressida in a much different light than Lydia (the heroine of the other book by Darcy which I read), except for the fact that Lydia was American, or telling Captain Rossiter apart from Lord Northover. I hope it's a coincidence and the two couples of Cressida and Lydia simply happen to be similar, and that not all her H/h are like this, but from reading various other blurbs, the heroines all seem to be very headstrong, impetuous misses, and the heroes all sound tall-dark-handsome-arrogant-and-vastly-rich. But we shall see, I am not wholy daunted by the prospect, and very much look forward to my next Clare Darcy read!
1. Q-u-a-r-r-e-l-i-n-g H/h: they always, always, always end up together. One would think that two people who are totally incapable of being in the same room together for more than two minutes without coming to dagger-drawing would much better have nothing to do with each other again, but no, apparently if they quarrel all the time it means they are soulmates.
2. Well, apparently, if you are the hero, you can do so by swoony-kissing the sh*t out of the heroine.
3. Thirdly...I...uh...hmmm...what was I saying???
AH YES! THE SMOLDERING LOOKS! If the hero is constantly staring at you, for heaven's sake, he doesn't disapprove, he strongly, strongly APPROVES!!
I repeat, HE STRONGLY APPROVES!!!
4. Don't underestimate the power of fashion...fan fluttering...lacy parasols...and a"shockingly expensive new bonnet calculated to make the bones of any even moderately susceptible member of the male sex turn to water when he saw it set upon a crown of tawny curls and shading a pair of the most brilliantly sparkling eyes in all England" ;) Get it right, ladies!
5. And, for the Lord's sake, I've said it before and I'll say it again, don't lead men on when you have no intention of accepting their hand in marriage!!! Seems to me to be pure common sense, but apparently not so for some of our dear heroines.
***
If you enjoy Georgette Heyer and love Regency stories that are more "comedy of manners" than "romance", with lots of descriptions of clothing & mannerisms, this charming book is for you! Very similar to Bath Tangle, with a dash of Devil's Cub, this madcap comedy of estranged couples and mismatched lovers is absolutely hilarious, and, I promise you, loads and loads of fun. It's incredibly predictable, especially if you've read the two above-mentioned Georgette Heyer novels, but still, it's a great ride and a perfectly delightful read.
I mean, you know, the hero pretty much greets the heroine with: "After all, when one has been engaged as often as you have, the matter no doubt becomes something of a commonplace. I believe I recall hearing that you were engaged to a viscount when I visited England briefly several years ago; now, if gossip I correct, we are shortly to felicitate you upon your betrothal to a marquis. May I enquire if it is your intention to stop at this point and actually marry this gentleman, or are you holding out for a duke?".
Picked Cressida up on a whim because The Hobbit was getting tedious and I was in Regency mood, and I can tell you, it certainly did not disappoint. I chuckled the entire time, it was so silly and fun.
The only reason I can't give it a full 5 stars is because compared to Bath Tangle, to which it is so very similar, I really much prefer the latter. And also - and please correct me if I'm wrong, I've only read two Clare Darcy novels - I am finding that there is no great difference between Darcy's various heroes and heroines. I found it hard to imagine Cressida in a much different light than Lydia (the heroine of the other book by Darcy which I read), except for the fact that Lydia was American, or telling Captain Rossiter apart from Lord Northover. I hope it's a coincidence and the two couples of Cressida and Lydia simply happen to be similar, and that not all her H/h are like this, but from reading various other blurbs, the heroines all seem to be very headstrong, impetuous misses, and the heroes all sound tall-dark-handsome-arrogant-and-vastly-rich. But we shall see, I am not wholy daunted by the prospect, and very much look forward to my next Clare Darcy read!
February 5, 2014
2.5 stars
Cressida is beautiful and wealthy with all of London at her feet. True, she's no longer a young miss in her first season but she enjoys the attentions of the gentlemen just the same. She has agreed to sponsor the come out of her companion's relative, Kitty though the girl seems to be one of those boring, biddable young girls. Seven years ago however, Cressida wasn't so sophisticated. She was a young girl living with her elderly great-aunt in Tonbridge when she met Captain Deverell Rossiter, a young soldier. She knew right away from the first dance that he was the one she wanted to marry. She was prepared to follow the drum to be with him. Then they quarreled and broke their engagement. She hasn't seen him since until now. Rossiter has returned to London a wealthy and much heralded man. He's the toast of London and Cressida is furious. She wants nothing to do with him yet they keep encountering each other. Captain Rossiter even goes so far as to flirt with Kitty! He has two rivals for Kitty: Rossiter's friend Captain Miles Harries, a young man wet behind the ears and The Honorable Drew Addison, the next Beau Brummel; while Cressida has relationship problems of her own.
There's not a whole lot of plot in this novel until almost the end. That part comes out of nowhere and doesn't fit with the rest of the story. The characters keep trying to explain why but I found their excuse weak. It didn't suit the character. It came right out of a gothic romance. This certainly isn't a romance. There's no romance or courtship in it at all. Cressida spends the novel second guessing what she thinks Rossiter is going to say and then trying to hurt him with a scathing remark. We don't know much about him or his motivations but he doesn't seem to deserve her scorn. Cressida's behavior makes her a very unlikeable heroine. Her change of heart comes too late and too suddenly to be sincere and make the reader feel sympathy for her. It feels like that plot element was forced in to the story to make the romance work. None of the secondary characters are well developed. Kitty never emerges as a co-heroine. Only Miles gets much page time and he seems like a very kind young man who is in over his head.
I really liked how the story pokes gentle fun at romance novels in general. There's some other humorous moments and Cressida's companion is one of those garrulous women dropped in for comedic effect. Regency fashion lovers will love the detailed descriptions of Cressida's clothes.
This isn't the best Clare Darcy novel but I would recommend her books to Georgette Heyer fans.
Cressida is beautiful and wealthy with all of London at her feet. True, she's no longer a young miss in her first season but she enjoys the attentions of the gentlemen just the same. She has agreed to sponsor the come out of her companion's relative, Kitty though the girl seems to be one of those boring, biddable young girls. Seven years ago however, Cressida wasn't so sophisticated. She was a young girl living with her elderly great-aunt in Tonbridge when she met Captain Deverell Rossiter, a young soldier. She knew right away from the first dance that he was the one she wanted to marry. She was prepared to follow the drum to be with him. Then they quarreled and broke their engagement. She hasn't seen him since until now. Rossiter has returned to London a wealthy and much heralded man. He's the toast of London and Cressida is furious. She wants nothing to do with him yet they keep encountering each other. Captain Rossiter even goes so far as to flirt with Kitty! He has two rivals for Kitty: Rossiter's friend Captain Miles Harries, a young man wet behind the ears and The Honorable Drew Addison, the next Beau Brummel; while Cressida has relationship problems of her own.
There's not a whole lot of plot in this novel until almost the end. That part comes out of nowhere and doesn't fit with the rest of the story. The characters keep trying to explain why but I found their excuse weak. It didn't suit the character. It came right out of a gothic romance. This certainly isn't a romance. There's no romance or courtship in it at all. Cressida spends the novel second guessing what she thinks Rossiter is going to say and then trying to hurt him with a scathing remark. We don't know much about him or his motivations but he doesn't seem to deserve her scorn. Cressida's behavior makes her a very unlikeable heroine. Her change of heart comes too late and too suddenly to be sincere and make the reader feel sympathy for her. It feels like that plot element was forced in to the story to make the romance work. None of the secondary characters are well developed. Kitty never emerges as a co-heroine. Only Miles gets much page time and he seems like a very kind young man who is in over his head.
I really liked how the story pokes gentle fun at romance novels in general. There's some other humorous moments and Cressida's companion is one of those garrulous women dropped in for comedic effect. Regency fashion lovers will love the detailed descriptions of Cressida's clothes.
This isn't the best Clare Darcy novel but I would recommend her books to Georgette Heyer fans.
January 9, 2022
So, after my first romp with Clare Darcy, decided to try another book of hers to see how I enjoyed it.
This book... well, a least there isn't any racist bits to be found. However, again, the author writes a very good plot / story, but I just fail to see how there is any sort of chemistry or simmering tension between the romantic interest and the main character.
For this story, Cressida was just a 20 year old pain in the ass who had a temperament that just didn't sit right with me. She is supposed to 'apparently' be over her romantic interest, hate him, want to avoid him... yet she cannot shut up about him and or rub the issues that they went through five years ago into everyone's faces.
It was a classic 'you both should talk about your feelings instead of swinging insults' and while, normally, it would work in writing... if there was any sort of romantic tension but it just came with punch after punch down from both sides until I just wanted the story to wrap up.
I enjoyed it, but it just lacked the normal romantic enjoyment I get out of Heyer stories.
This book... well, a least there isn't any racist bits to be found. However, again, the author writes a very good plot / story, but I just fail to see how there is any sort of chemistry or simmering tension between the romantic interest and the main character.
For this story, Cressida was just a 20 year old pain in the ass who had a temperament that just didn't sit right with me. She is supposed to 'apparently' be over her romantic interest, hate him, want to avoid him... yet she cannot shut up about him and or rub the issues that they went through five years ago into everyone's faces.
It was a classic 'you both should talk about your feelings instead of swinging insults' and while, normally, it would work in writing... if there was any sort of romantic tension but it just came with punch after punch down from both sides until I just wanted the story to wrap up.
I enjoyed it, but it just lacked the normal romantic enjoyment I get out of Heyer stories.
November 18, 2018
I suppose this was enjoyable enough, but the story lines were so similar that I kept thinking I was reading Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer.
October 29, 2017
Ok, I must first confess, I am not much fan of a romance when hero and heroine meets after years of separation, after some kind of misunderstanding, unless sooner or later I am informed how they met and wooed and so on. Because to me, those first meetings are very precious.
In this novel, I got knowledge (eventually) how and why they separated six years earlier but not those sweet beginnings (difficult or funny beginnings, depends of a story), at least not enough of them.
Nonetheless, there was really good banter between hero and heroine, this anger and frustration (I am sure most of you know what I mean). And I really enjoyed a few scenes.
But, I didn't feel that I was reading Clare Darcy's novel. It was not enough witty for me. I think, it was the worst I have read so far.
I agree more with QNPoohBear's review than Anne's review, but I understand why Anne loved it so much.
PS Two examples of great exceptions, precious romances with this kind of break up: Bath Tangle (my review) and An Accomplished Woman (my review).
In this novel, I got knowledge (eventually) how and why they separated six years earlier but not those sweet beginnings (difficult or funny beginnings, depends of a story), at least not enough of them.
Nonetheless, there was really good banter between hero and heroine, this anger and frustration (I am sure most of you know what I mean). And I really enjoyed a few scenes.
But, I didn't feel that I was reading Clare Darcy's novel. It was not enough witty for me. I think, it was the worst I have read so far.
I agree more with QNPoohBear's review than Anne's review, but I understand why Anne loved it so much.
PS Two examples of great exceptions, precious romances with this kind of break up: Bath Tangle (my review) and An Accomplished Woman (my review).
August 28, 2015
A recent blog discussion led me to this author. Someone posted that she wrote similarly to Georgette Heyer, and I found a few volumes at my local library to try. This is the first I read, and I must say that it was okay, but not great. I didn't have any issue with the poor communication between heroine and hero, as men and women rarely spoke straightforwardly in that time. However, the writing was awkward--there was a paragraph long sentence!--and the plot wasn't very interesting. The characterization wasn't very deep, and the changes they made happen very suddenly. Overall, both heroine and hero act like petulant adolescents, making rash and dangerous decisions without thinking things through or checking any facts at all. So, the book wasn't bad, but I'm not going to rush out to get another by this author.
September 24, 2010
A few notes: Just because two people fight a lot, it doesn't mean they are in love with each other. In fact, it probably means they should not get married at all.
I had very little patience with the motives and actions of pretty much all the characters with the possible exception of the Secondary Male, who received very short shrift in this book and who I hope does not win the favor of the probably worthless Secondary Female.
I have been reading these books quickly, trying to get them done in time to mail away for a fall birthday, and I noticed that the last three all had 18 chapters and 217 pages. I have not gone back to see if all the chapter breaks are on the same pages and plot turns are in the same chapters, but it's an entertaining thought.
I had very little patience with the motives and actions of pretty much all the characters with the possible exception of the Secondary Male, who received very short shrift in this book and who I hope does not win the favor of the probably worthless Secondary Female.
I have been reading these books quickly, trying to get them done in time to mail away for a fall birthday, and I noticed that the last three all had 18 chapters and 217 pages. I have not gone back to see if all the chapter breaks are on the same pages and plot turns are in the same chapters, but it's an entertaining thought.
January 19, 2025
Enjoyable Regency romp
Clare Darcy’s novels are the closest I have found to those of Georgette Heyer, which is no mean feat. Her research is excellent but not obtrusive, her vocabulary reflects the time, and her sense of humor tickles my funny bone. Great fun.
Clare Darcy’s novels are the closest I have found to those of Georgette Heyer, which is no mean feat. Her research is excellent but not obtrusive, her vocabulary reflects the time, and her sense of humor tickles my funny bone. Great fun.
January 4, 2017
When Georgette Heyer fumed over authors stealing her material, I suspect she had writers like Clare Darcy in mind. This book is serviceable enough--above average for a Regency, even--but it has a very familiar feel. Phrases, descriptions, characters and even plot points (this book is a mishmash of The Black Moth, Devil's Cub and Bath Tangle) all seem lifted from Heyer's work. I wouldn't call it plagiarism, exactly, just a pale and unimaginative imitation. I used to like Darcy's work back in the day, but if this book is representative, I shouldn't have.
April 5, 2020
See, here's the thing. I'm just trash for regency romance. It's clouding my ability to be unbiased. Would I have appreciated a little more interaction between the two to-be lovers? Yes. And by interaction I mean not bickering. But the main character wasn't a simpering wide-eyed bunny, though Ms. Clare's heroines tend not to be. Cressida had some moxy and it was refreshing. The plot of this book also felt a little off the beaten path from most RR novels. All in all, yes.
January 27, 2025
I've read this book in Italian.
Here my review in Italian.
___________
'Cressida' è l’ottavo ed ultimo romanzo di Clare Darcy che leggo (in tutto l’autrice ne ha scritti 14, ma solo 8 sono stati tradotti in Italia da Mondadori a cavallo tra gli Anni Settanta e Ottanta, sulla scia del successo di quelli di Georgette Heyer). Sono tutti molto carini e di facile lettura, ma metto questo sul podio, forse dietro solo ad Allegra.
La Darcy è l’autrice che più si accosta a Georgette Heyer per le trame proposte e il mondo descritto (ancor più di Sylvia Thorpe, che è un poco più avventurosa). Questo romanzo in particolare, poi, mi ha richiamato molto alcune atmosfere tipiche della Heyer, in special modo de 'Il figlio del Diavolo' e 'Cotillion'. La società del tempo è descritta con dovizia di particolari, tipica di chi ha studiato molto l’ambientazione (nomi di sartorie, luoghi, stili, etc.) e i personaggi sono collocati nel loro tempo (cosa che ormai accade sempre più di rado nei regency moderni, con figlie di Duchi che si improvvisano femministe incallite e portano avanti battaglie improponibili per l’epoca, oltre ad aver comportamenti illogici).
Ho apprezzato molto l’originalità del personaggio di Miss Kitty Chevenix, la giovane protetta di Cressida. Solitamente questo tipo di personaggio secondario è delicato, romantico e protagonista di nobili fughe d’amore. In questo caso, viceversa, Miss Kitty è una piccola intrigante, che si approfitta di Cressida (quante bugie racconta!) e sogna unicamente di contrarre un matrimonio conveniente per vivere nel lusso. Per la prima volta viene messo a nudo il comportamento di una gatta morta ottocentesca… Fantastico!
Complessivamente il libro è davvero piacevole ed avvincente, con un po’ di pepe nel finale. La traduzione (di Rita Botter Pierangeli) è di altissimo livello. Consigliatissimo a tutti coloro che amano sognare e vivere storie d’amore period…
Per la recensione completa visita il mio blog: https://dilettanicastro.blogspot.com/...
Here my review in Italian.
___________
'Cressida' è l’ottavo ed ultimo romanzo di Clare Darcy che leggo (in tutto l’autrice ne ha scritti 14, ma solo 8 sono stati tradotti in Italia da Mondadori a cavallo tra gli Anni Settanta e Ottanta, sulla scia del successo di quelli di Georgette Heyer). Sono tutti molto carini e di facile lettura, ma metto questo sul podio, forse dietro solo ad Allegra.
La Darcy è l’autrice che più si accosta a Georgette Heyer per le trame proposte e il mondo descritto (ancor più di Sylvia Thorpe, che è un poco più avventurosa). Questo romanzo in particolare, poi, mi ha richiamato molto alcune atmosfere tipiche della Heyer, in special modo de 'Il figlio del Diavolo' e 'Cotillion'. La società del tempo è descritta con dovizia di particolari, tipica di chi ha studiato molto l’ambientazione (nomi di sartorie, luoghi, stili, etc.) e i personaggi sono collocati nel loro tempo (cosa che ormai accade sempre più di rado nei regency moderni, con figlie di Duchi che si improvvisano femministe incallite e portano avanti battaglie improponibili per l’epoca, oltre ad aver comportamenti illogici).
Ho apprezzato molto l’originalità del personaggio di Miss Kitty Chevenix, la giovane protetta di Cressida. Solitamente questo tipo di personaggio secondario è delicato, romantico e protagonista di nobili fughe d’amore. In questo caso, viceversa, Miss Kitty è una piccola intrigante, che si approfitta di Cressida (quante bugie racconta!) e sogna unicamente di contrarre un matrimonio conveniente per vivere nel lusso. Per la prima volta viene messo a nudo il comportamento di una gatta morta ottocentesca… Fantastico!
Complessivamente il libro è davvero piacevole ed avvincente, con un po’ di pepe nel finale. La traduzione (di Rita Botter Pierangeli) è di altissimo livello. Consigliatissimo a tutti coloro che amano sognare e vivere storie d’amore period…
Per la recensione completa visita il mio blog: https://dilettanicastro.blogspot.com/...
September 17, 2022
An engaging and riveting story. It has more angst and drama than Darcy’s other works, but I enjoyed it greatly.
Darcy’s writing and prose is just amazing. Also, I love that her books never drag on endlessly.
Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Darcy’s writing and prose is just amazing. Also, I love that her books never drag on endlessly.
Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 21, 2023
Frustrating
Most of this book was frustrating and annoying. The main characters are constantly rude to each other. And then the female lead does something extremely stupid. So just very frustrating all in all.
Most of this book was frustrating and annoying. The main characters are constantly rude to each other. And then the female lead does something extremely stupid. So just very frustrating all in all.
September 15, 2020
Enjoyable, but typos detract.
April 1, 2021
3/3.5
While it was a fun afternoon read, the MC kind of got on my nerves.
While it was a fun afternoon read, the MC kind of got on my nerves.
August 2, 2022
After a few 'misses' finding this gem from this author was a feat. I kinda skimmed, but would read it again. Very dramatic and a bit predictable, but it's got that Persuasion feel, just more arguing. Reminiscent of that one Heyer in terms of the ending, but it made it that much funnier.
August 10, 2024
I have thoroughly enjoyed Dancy's books. It's nice to find regency romances that aren't sex, with a couple of conjunctions thrown in for grammatical reasons.
December 11, 2025
Clare Darcy improved upon one of my least favourite Heyer romances - Bath Tangle. That one had highly problematic behaviour by the ML. This one avoids that.
April 12, 2020
Two stubborn high temper main characters
Well written, character driven story with fleshed out secondary people makes for fast moving plot and satisfactory romance for H&h.
Well written, character driven story with fleshed out secondary people makes for fast moving plot and satisfactory romance for H&h.
June 11, 2016
It's like Clare Darcy's other novels - fun, lively (Heyer-like, if you like that genre)... except, the H broke off with the h 7 years ago, and she's acquired social polish and changed beyond recognition (sort of) and goes about getting engaged and breaking it off (it's supposed to be funny, but I just couldn't get into it).
When the h finds out that her relatives told H (7 years ago) that if she married him, they'd make sure she did not inherit and will be left penniless, she's full of remorse over how she has treated him, and she still loves him (yay!). The H meanwhile has been making up to the girl she is bringing out, and when he mistakes her to be in a relationship with his friend (after another broken engagement), he proposes to that chit then and there (in the middle of a ballroom), and is accepted.
Not my cup of tea.
It's seems inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, which is not my favorite JA by any means. But there is redemption for the characters there. H realized that if he had come back sooner, even a year after being 'rejected', she would've accepted him. Here, the H did come back, and found her engaged. Well, if he still loved her, he should've atleast tried to tell her why he broke it off. ugh.
And the h... breaking off engagements, no matter how wittily written, is not something I find really funny. If you're engaged for 5 minutes, that's a different story (like Lady Pamela).
When the h finds out that her relatives told H (7 years ago) that if she married him, they'd make sure she did not inherit and will be left penniless, she's full of remorse over how she has treated him, and she still loves him (yay!). The H meanwhile has been making up to the girl she is bringing out, and when he mistakes her to be in a relationship with his friend (after another broken engagement), he proposes to that chit then and there (in the middle of a ballroom), and is accepted.
Not my cup of tea.
It's seems inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, which is not my favorite JA by any means. But there is redemption for the characters there. H realized that if he had come back sooner, even a year after being 'rejected', she would've accepted him. Here, the H did come back, and found her engaged. Well, if he still loved her, he should've atleast tried to tell her why he broke it off. ugh.
And the h... breaking off engagements, no matter how wittily written, is not something I find really funny. If you're engaged for 5 minutes, that's a different story (like Lady Pamela).
May 2, 2025
Cressy seems to be a hardened flirt. An old friend appears in her life and they keep squabbling until the dramatic finale when I couldn't quite believe in her entire change of behaviour.
There is also a middle-aged talkative widow, Lady Constance, and a young debutante who may be rather materialistic. They're a bit caricatured, but their stories are well done.
Some mild humour, but it's a rather predictable Regency-style plot. The characters nowhere near as realistic or sympathetic as Georgette Heyer's. But still, the settings and dialogue seem authentic, and overall it was an enjoyable light read.
Latest longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
There is also a middle-aged talkative widow, Lady Constance, and a young debutante who may be rather materialistic. They're a bit caricatured, but their stories are well done.
Some mild humour, but it's a rather predictable Regency-style plot. The characters nowhere near as realistic or sympathetic as Georgette Heyer's. But still, the settings and dialogue seem authentic, and overall it was an enjoyable light read.
Latest longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
April 5, 2019
Cressida has become known as a heartless flirt, never accepting an offer of marriage from the men who court her. When the man she'd once been betrothed to returns in her life, she is determined not to let it affect her. But love hasn't died, and through a complicated dance, she finds her perfect partner.
I first read this book about ten years ago, and I have had it on my shelf almost as long. I adore Clare Darcy's writing, with its mix of classic romance and witty dialogue. The plot is entertaining, even if I want to strangle Cressida and Dev for their quarreling.
This definitely is a light version of Georgette Heyer, making it an easy and quick read. The plot is a romp from start to finish.
For readers of Regency Romance this author is a must-read!
I first read this book about ten years ago, and I have had it on my shelf almost as long. I adore Clare Darcy's writing, with its mix of classic romance and witty dialogue. The plot is entertaining, even if I want to strangle Cressida and Dev for their quarreling.
This definitely is a light version of Georgette Heyer, making it an easy and quick read. The plot is a romp from start to finish.
For readers of Regency Romance this author is a must-read!
June 8, 2016
Heartless Flirt?
Cressida Calverton was gay, lively and attractive in an unconventional way. But though in her late twenties she was still unmarried. Jilted by Captain Deverell she had never since been able to face the prospect of giving her hand to another. And now she had the reputation of a heartless, scheming flirt.
The return of Captain Deverell into her life and the further heartbreaks that bar the road to happiness are the theme of Clare Darcy's latest Regency romance, the tenth in the sequence that has won her world-wide acclain as the true successor to Georgette Heyer.
An amusing, easy read. Not Georgette Heyer but not bad.
Cressida Calverton was gay, lively and attractive in an unconventional way. But though in her late twenties she was still unmarried. Jilted by Captain Deverell she had never since been able to face the prospect of giving her hand to another. And now she had the reputation of a heartless, scheming flirt.
The return of Captain Deverell into her life and the further heartbreaks that bar the road to happiness are the theme of Clare Darcy's latest Regency romance, the tenth in the sequence that has won her world-wide acclain as the true successor to Georgette Heyer.
An amusing, easy read. Not Georgette Heyer but not bad.
August 1, 2013
This was an old English novel written many years ago. It was about Cressida a rich girl thanks to her aunt whom had died some while before. There was a young girl just coming out into society that she took under her wing. She was pretty taken back when a captain she had previously been engaged to herself was paying attention to her young protégée. When this captain decided to buy the old home place of Cressida that was more than she could take. For the most part it was an entertaining book.
August 14, 2014
Another funny Regency Romance from Clare Darcy. In this book, Cressida, now 26 and still unmarried, is reaquainted with a man to whom she was engaged to for a week when she was 18.
This author passed away in 1978 with no heirs. Her books have since become orphaned. I had the books I owned OCR'd so I could read them again.
This author passed away in 1978 with no heirs. Her books have since become orphaned. I had the books I owned OCR'd so I could read them again.
September 10, 2012
Since I am almost done with Georgette Heyer I saw some say that Clare Darcy was in her style. She is very much after Georgette's style just more watered down. But look at this cover it is awesome and so misleading.
November 12, 2017
Regency
October 18, 2011
It is just wrong that these are out of date. The only writer who reads just like Georgette Heyer. Pure escapism.
March 25, 2012
Darcy was a worthy successor to Georgette Heyer, or at least came as close as the best imitators.
January 15, 2013
It's been awhile since I read this. But I think it was pretty cute.
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