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Miss Milford's Mistake
When her grandmother enlists her help in finding a husband for her irresponsible sister, independent Eleanor Milford, who runs a school for local children, comes face to face with her former suitor, Lord Bromley, who is pretending to woo her sister in hopes of winning Eleanor back. Original.
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2003
About the author
Victoria Hinshaw
29 books10 followersVictoria Hinshaw loves all things English and Regency; she writes about clever heroines and dashing heroes on their intriguing paths to love—that is when she can overcome her execrable typing and lack of tech-savvy. In fact, but for modern plumbing, e-readers, and internet research, she would gladly live in 1815.
Victoria binges on Jane Austen, Bridgerton, visiting British Stately Homes (when she can travel), and her secret identity as a baroness in disguise. Enjoy Victoria’s stories…and Experience the Elegance.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 3, 2014
Miss Eleanor Milford is happy and fulfilled teaching the village children on her family's estate. When her formidable Grandmother, The Dowager Duchess of Brandon, informs Eleanor that Eleanor will chaperone her cousin Priscilla in London this Season and find the girl a match or the village school will be closed. Eleanor is hurt by her grandmother's cruelty. She has no desire to go to London and live with her uncle's indolent second wife Violet or her spoiled, bratty cousin Priscilla, whom Eleanor and her friend Jane secretly call Prima. Eleanor also has no interest in dredging up old memories of her Season when she was so happy and in love. Griffin Preston is equally miserable. He has gone from being a Royal Draughtsman and Surveyor to being Baron Bromley, heir to the ailing Earl of Edenhurst. He must now attend to his estate duties and even find a wife. He agrees to allow his mother to choose his bride but his heart is with the girl who broke it many years ago. When he's thrown together with Eleanor and Priscilla, his heart stops momentarily. While his mother and her friends believe him to be the perfect match for Priscilla, he has eyes only for another, but she refuses to look at him. Only his best friend Bob Bates, knows what's in Griff's heart and he's willing to use that information to make sure his friend makes the right choice. Marriage is not for Bob Bates... no indeed... but if he just so happens to meet a girl who shares his interests, well... maybe he would consider it.
This is a pleasant read. It's very G/PG and the writing isn't super fabulous, but it's not bad. There's little conflict in the story and what conflict there is, doesn't make much sense. It's not a straightforward love story because otherwise there wouldn't be a plot. The love story could have been solved in about three chapters or so but there's a complication that presents the love story from a quick resolution. The story kind of drags on and didn't make me want to turn the pages and finish. The confrontation with the villain is a bit too easy and breezy. The ending is a bit too rushed for my taste. There could have been more development among the main characters. I didn't like the way Eleanor handled the situation at the end and I hope she did the right thing. There is one brief moment in the love story that I especially liked. It was subtly sensual in a non-graphic way. It's my second favorite non-touching scene in a Regency romance!
The hero, Griff, is unique. He was happy to be the second son and doesn't want to be an Earl. He's passionate about his job, loves his parents and cares for his ailing father. He's eating his heart out with love and doesn't know what to do. He is definitely not a rake. What's not to love about him? He's actually pretty boring. I prefer rakish heroes (on paper) because they make for a more interesting story. I don't really see why Griff initially loved Eleanor. As she rightly points out, they don't really know each other that well. It's been a long time and they've changed since then. As they get to know each other again, I can see why they share a connection. Bob Bates could have been an interesting hero of the usual type, but he's also a stand-up sort of man who is a loyal friend. He has a bit more of a mischievous side than Griff though. I liked him a lot.
The ladies aren't really different from any other characters in this sort of novel. The older girls value education over marriage, but still long for families of their own. I liked both Eleanor and Jane a lot and their commitment to helping the villagers. Their mentor is very interesting and I would have liked more of her. Priscilla is a typical teenager, only interested in herself and having fun. Violet could have been a real gem of a character in the hands of a master like Georgette Heyer but as she is, she's just silly and stupid. Thankfully she doesn't appear much on page.
I didn't love this book and I didn't hate it either. If you're looking for a clean Regency with a non-rake hero, I would recommend it.
This is a pleasant read. It's very G/PG and the writing isn't super fabulous, but it's not bad. There's little conflict in the story and what conflict there is, doesn't make much sense. It's not a straightforward love story because otherwise there wouldn't be a plot. The love story could have been solved in about three chapters or so but there's a complication that presents the love story from a quick resolution. The story kind of drags on and didn't make me want to turn the pages and finish. The confrontation with the villain is a bit too easy and breezy. The ending is a bit too rushed for my taste. There could have been more development among the main characters. I didn't like the way Eleanor handled the situation at the end and I hope she did the right thing. There is one brief moment in the love story that I especially liked. It was subtly sensual in a non-graphic way. It's my second favorite non-touching scene in a Regency romance!
The hero, Griff, is unique. He was happy to be the second son and doesn't want to be an Earl. He's passionate about his job, loves his parents and cares for his ailing father. He's eating his heart out with love and doesn't know what to do. He is definitely not a rake. What's not to love about him? He's actually pretty boring. I prefer rakish heroes (on paper) because they make for a more interesting story. I don't really see why Griff initially loved Eleanor. As she rightly points out, they don't really know each other that well. It's been a long time and they've changed since then. As they get to know each other again, I can see why they share a connection. Bob Bates could have been an interesting hero of the usual type, but he's also a stand-up sort of man who is a loyal friend. He has a bit more of a mischievous side than Griff though. I liked him a lot.
The ladies aren't really different from any other characters in this sort of novel. The older girls value education over marriage, but still long for families of their own. I liked both Eleanor and Jane a lot and their commitment to helping the villagers. Their mentor is very interesting and I would have liked more of her. Priscilla is a typical teenager, only interested in herself and having fun. Violet could have been a real gem of a character in the hands of a master like Georgette Heyer but as she is, she's just silly and stupid. Thankfully she doesn't appear much on page.
I didn't love this book and I didn't hate it either. If you're looking for a clean Regency with a non-rake hero, I would recommend it.
December 19, 2022
QNPoohBear's review is spot on. I thought Griff was great and I loved that he wanted to clear things up with Eleanor right away. However, Eleanor drove me crazy. There was no real reason not to rekindle the romance. Even after Griff tells her of his feelings, she still insisted that it couldn't happen, even though there was no impediment. The irony is that she called her cousin the Prima, but the cousin produced less drama than she did. To me this was just okay. There was no meat to the story and none of the characters were particularly interesting.
September 25, 2009
Regency
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews