The Mudlark

by Delle Jacobs

It's just Izzy's kind of luck. The first time she straggles home sopping wet after wading into a freezing stream to save a drowning kitten, she walks right into the handsomest man she has ever seen. He's also the most arrogant man she's ever met. And worse, her father has been conspiring with his father on their marriage since they were babes. Never mind that she had planned to marry Donald. Likewise, Tristan has no intention of marrying a loose screw like Izzy, who, when she is not driving him crazy, might expose his secret injury -- the one that could cost him his Guards commission. The only thing they have in common is their grim determination not to marry each other, and their only escape is the plot they concoct, a double elopement with a twist... But oh, how Izzy intrigues him, makes him laugh and feel alive again. This was not in the the plan... Somewhere along the way, Tristan learns to replace his deep immense sorrow and loss with love and joy.

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

ebook

First published September 4, 2002

About the author

I write write write. Sometimes I travel. Then I write some more. And I have a great family who understand that I write write write.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, obvious, but cute. 3 solid stars.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good fluff read! Izzy is a lady unafraid of getting a little dirty while teaching her village children. One day, she gets particularly messy saving the life of a kitten. She goes home and runs into Tristan, a captain in the military, who is disgusted on sight of her. Their fathers are the best of friends and have decided that their children will be perfect for one another, even though they are already promised to others. Not wanting to be caught in their fathers schemes, they work together to plan a elopement foursome. This way, they marry who they want while their fathers have no idea that they will in fact marry their previous choices. Until then, they must act the part of a smitten couple. Sparks and tempers fly as they battle wits.
I love a good historical romance and this one was soooooo good!

[RedRedtheycallmeRed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read several of Delle Jacobs' books and I think this was probably my least favorite (His Majesty, the Prince of Toads being my favorite). I liked Izzy, she was funny, sweet and brave. It was harder with Tristan, he was so unpleasant for so much of the book, I found it hard to believe Izzy was falling for him.

There was some good banter between Izzy and Tristan, and I liked his aunt Peaches. I found both of their fathers kind of baffling though, their behavior was just too odd.

This is a pretty tame romance, so if you like a little more spice in your book, look elsewhere.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this $1 buy from Amazon. I love clean regency romance and after skimming the reviews it appears this would be just that. While it was fairly clean, it certainly pushed the limits. There were innuendos thrown in throughout and quite a few conversations centered on “marital relations”. Personally, I think the story could have done without. You can create romantic tension without all the innuendo.

Other than that, I enjoyed the story. I like the whole arranged marriage storyline and thought it was kind of fun that even though Izzy and Tristan disliked each other they still decided to work together to outwit their parents. Both are in love with others and hatch a plan to have all four run away together and marry who they want. As the story progresses, so does the relationship between Izzy and Tristan, they learn to trust and rely on one another. I would have enjoyed the story a little more if it had left out the sex talk and stuck with more chaste romantic tension.

I just want to add, it was pretty clean, just pushed it a bit in my opinion.

[Minh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where do I begin... How many tropes can you throw into one book! Meddling fathers, hate at first sift, a bluestocking daughter who just happens to be beautiful, arranged marriages, pre-set arranged marriages, mysterious ailment of the head, becoming the belle of the ball, innocently asking for "instruction" (this one killed me the most)!!!!!!

At the end I just wanted to throw my hands up in dismay at the entire concoction. The worst plot point was easily the double elopement which anyone with eyes could see how it would turn out. So close to a DNF, I only persevered because it was so short.

[Kelly Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this traditional regency romance!! The hairbrained schemes, the true love, the adventure and all of the lovable characters. I couldn't put it down and for a free kindle book I was not disappointed at all. Though it was predicitable I believe that is why we read these kinds of novels....at least it's why I do. I also really enjoyed how the author got inside both the heads of Izzy and Tristin and gave their perspectives throughout. The story was very good and there was not one unlikeable character. Very, very good read!!

[BoondocksGlam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author. It dragged somewhat in the beginning but about a third of the way in, my interest picked up and so did my pace. Some of the other reviews said it is predictable.... For this genre I think that they are predictable in that-they are what the are-a nice easy historical romance. That being said, I give this a higher rating than others in the same genre.... There was decent character development which certainly doesn't always happen.....and that definitely makes for a better story.

[LadyCalico · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast, cute little Regency romance with no surprises and totally predictable. However, the characters were interesting--the kind-hearted heroine who cared not for phony social mores and the snobby, damaged hero, humbled by his disability and the heroine. The contrived elopement was a bit much and the stupid fishing side-trip way too much and the story really deteriorated during the excursion to Gretna Green, but overall this book was a fast and pleasant bit of fluff.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fun, regency read. I enjoyed it very much. This is my first Della Jacobs read, I look forward to reading other works of hers.I originally tried it as it was free on kindle, it was a great introduction to this author. I enjoyed the characters very much & the way they interacted with each other. The whole story kept me entertained from start to end. I would definitely recommend this book if you like regency reads.

[Priscilla Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Delle Jacobs a few years ago and read her whole backlist at one time. I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a good cuddle up and read all at once kind of book.

I only read historical set in the 19th century so I'm always looking for new authors. I think I have at least 7 or 8 of Delle's books and enjoyed them all.

[Candi Criddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fluffy little regency romance and I liked it. it ended happy, there was kissing, and no one tried to teach me a lesson.

It looks like this author may write some racy reads, this one doesn't go beyond kissing, it was just cute.

[Ann Mauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Regency Romance immensely. Delle Jacobs orchestrates a perfect weave of lovable characters, cleverly crafted plot lines and humorous, highly entertaining dialogue. The age-old notion of 'opposites attract' takes an unexpected and delightful flight in 'The Mudlark.'

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, if not totally original in its themes. The characters were likeable and I had no trouble identifying with them. The book itself was hard to put down. It's not an outrageously well-written book, but I'll probably add it to the re-read list.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two wastrel fathers chasing the Arthurian legends planned for their Isolde & Tristan to marry. Two warring opposites (..."undress whites do have an uncanny affinity for mud, but I never expected a mud puddle to sprout legs and personally hunt me down.") found a way to meet in the middle!

[Mina]

I really wanted to like it, but the writing was too florid and sloppy so I had to give up on it a little less than halfway through. May come back to it if I'm ever overflowing with patience, or desperate for the central trope of love/hate conflict between childhood friends.

[charley kiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable Yet Compelling Journey

Enjoyable development of a very predictable outcome, but a compelling read nevertheless. Hampered only by a limited development of the period and tamed relationships with the characters.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Free on kindle. A fun and witty historical romance.

[Julie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun Regency romance. Loved the dialogue. A bit silly in places, but sometimes that's perfectly fine and I don't mind it a bit! Enjoyable, light read.

[Vonnie Alto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reader won't be disappointed with this traditional Regency. It's an engrossing read with a tight plot and lots of conflict and humor. Izzy is a darling and Aunt Peaches is hysterical.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little read. Humorous, fun. Well worth the bargain Kindle price.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The least trashy non-Christian free Kindle book I've ever read.

[Sarah Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and free!!

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and light. It was very predictable. No surprises whatsoever, but the characters were lovable, and it left me feeling all hunky dory inside. Best of all it was free.

[Highland-dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun regency!

[RIF · Rating 3 out of 5]

Already forgotten but not terrible if I recall correctly. Meh

[Soccergypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, nice, and enjoyable read. Laughed out loud while reading.

[Veronica Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

short, sweet romance

[Elf Ahearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as I'm concerned, The Mudlark is the perfect Regency romance. It has charm, wit and a great love story. Anyone who loves the genre will be head over heels for this book.

[Sati Howard · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a free book so thought it worth a read on a long car journey. Very frothy and predictable.

[Marya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars