The Duchess Diaries

by Mia Ryan

Lady Lara Darling, a country gal, is fiercely independent, reckless by nature, and absolutely unable to turn her back on a dare – even if it comes posthumously from her grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Marleston. The late Lady bequeaths Lara money for a debut Season, the services of her dear friend, Lady Tattenbaum, and the prized possession – the old dame's diaries. For in the Duchess Diaries lie the secrets to a successful – and happy –match. Though grateful, Lara isn't interested until the challenge is set forth: that she find a husband during her one Season. This she cannot refuse, but her odds are looking slim when she entangles herself with Griff Hallsbury, a notorious coachman, while simply en route to London...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I sought out this book (had to request it through ILL!) because I really enjoyed Mia Ryan's parts in the Lady Whistledown books. I think this was meant to be the first in a series because there are 5 or 6 daughters in this family and their grandmother "has written guides for each of you...diaries, really, which will help you navigate your way through Society" and has left them enough money for each girl to have one season. I'm sad I won't get to read what shenanigans the rest of the sisters get into, but I can't find that Mia Ryan--(or Malia Martin that she also writes under) has published anything past 2004. This was a fun romp and lots of shenanigans abound!

[JulianneWells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny. Likeable side characters of the sisters, too bad this series never went anywhere.

Adorable heroine and inner, or sometimes outer monologs.

Liked the racing aspect and the competitive spirit and chemistry between the two.

[Gemma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gah! I couldn't finish this one. The heroine makes idiotic decisions (ones that could even get her killed) and expects other people to rescue her. She doesn't recognize that the hero was trying to save her reputation after her first stupid decision (to drive the mail coach across a bridge at breakneck speed) by pretending her false identity, "Mrs Hastings" didn't exist. Instead, she decides to go traipsing across London in the dead of night, by herself, with a mask on, to prove that "Mrs Hastings" can beat The Baron in a race. Never mind that she might be revealed in the ensuing scandal and ruin herself and her entire family. Never mind that she might get robbed and raped and left to die in the gutter.

I rarely use the term TSTL to describe a heroine, but I think it fits here.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! This is the first book I've read by Mia Ryan, and I have to say I couldn't get enough! I enjoyed the strong and stubborn female lead, as well as the other characters. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Sharon M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of slow but a pretty good book.