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Paget Family Saga #1
The Smile of the Stranger
The daughter of a self-exiled Englishman has many exciting adventures with the agent of the Prince Regent and falls in love with a man who resembles her hero, Charles the First
271 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 1981
63 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Joan Aiken
331 books602 followersJoan Aiken was a much loved English writer who received the MBE for services to Children's Literature. She was known as a writer of wild fantasy, Gothic novels and short stories.
She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, Conrad Aiken (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry), and her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge. She worked for the United Nations Information Office during the second world war, and then as an editor and freelance on Argosy magazine before she started writing full time, mainly children's books and thrillers. For her books she received the Guardian Award (1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award (1972).
Her most popular series, the "Wolves Chronicles" which began with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, was set in an elaborate alternate period of history in a Britain in which James II was never deposed in the Glorious Revolution,and so supporters of the House of Hanover continually plot to overthrow the Stuart Kings. These books also feature cockney urchin heroine Dido Twite and her adventures and travels all over the world.
Another series of children's books about Arabel and her raven Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake, and have been shown on the BBC as Jackanory and drama series. Others including the much loved Necklace of Raindrops and award winning Kingdom Under the Sea are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories. She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House in Rye (now a National Trust property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, Conrad Aiken (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry), and her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge. She worked for the United Nations Information Office during the second world war, and then as an editor and freelance on Argosy magazine before she started writing full time, mainly children's books and thrillers. For her books she received the Guardian Award (1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award (1972).
Her most popular series, the "Wolves Chronicles" which began with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, was set in an elaborate alternate period of history in a Britain in which James II was never deposed in the Glorious Revolution,and so supporters of the House of Hanover continually plot to overthrow the Stuart Kings. These books also feature cockney urchin heroine Dido Twite and her adventures and travels all over the world.
Another series of children's books about Arabel and her raven Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake, and have been shown on the BBC as Jackanory and drama series. Others including the much loved Necklace of Raindrops and award winning Kingdom Under the Sea are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories. She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House in Rye (now a National Trust property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 23, 2016
Like many other people, I was a big fan of Aiken's when I was younger, but I was never particularly (if at all) aware that she'd also published books "for adults." Well, "for adults" is a bit subjective. If this book had first been published recently, rather than in 1978, it would definitely have been marketed as "YA." The cover, here, also makes the book look soooooper Harlequin-romance-y. I am pleased to report that it is not. As a matter of fact, in nearly all ways, this book is very much in line with Aiken's other work. It's a Victorian-esque British historical with plenty of adventure, a bit of creepiness, and a good dollop of humor.
At the outset of the French Revolution, young Juliana Paget has been living with her father in Italy. But one day she relates a bit of a peculiar tale to her father: she was shopping at the milliner's when she overheard a strange woman asking after her father, a noted writer, and enquiring as to his whereabouts. Her father's reaction to this news is unexpected, even though Juliana always knew he was a bit of a recluse: he insists on fleeing the country immediately. Even though the elder Paget is in extremely poor health, and the deteriorating political situation makes international travel nearly impossible, he will not be denied, and next thing you know, there's an escape from a lynch mob and a daring balloon ride. Juliana's dad tells her that although he has always kept all information about his estranged family from her, she has wealthy relatives in England, and he's sure that they will be accepted by them - if only they can get there.
But getting there, as it turns out, will only be half the battle. Will Juliana be able to avoid being married off to a man old enough to be her grandfather, who's rumored to have done away with his earlier wives, and to be diseased into the bargain? As Juliana tries to make her own way in the world, she realizes that more than one person's agenda is set in opposition to her well-being - and that there are yet more family secrets that she does not yet know.
My only real quibble with the book is that Juliana's a bit of a goody-goody, and the villain is a bit too one-dimensional and unsympathetic (especially considering the situation), but the book was still great fun. Although it's a straight historical, without any fantastic or supernatural elements, I think this would appeal to a lot of steampunk fans.
Many thanks to SourceBooks (who've brought this back into print) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
At the outset of the French Revolution, young Juliana Paget has been living with her father in Italy. But one day she relates a bit of a peculiar tale to her father: she was shopping at the milliner's when she overheard a strange woman asking after her father, a noted writer, and enquiring as to his whereabouts. Her father's reaction to this news is unexpected, even though Juliana always knew he was a bit of a recluse: he insists on fleeing the country immediately. Even though the elder Paget is in extremely poor health, and the deteriorating political situation makes international travel nearly impossible, he will not be denied, and next thing you know, there's an escape from a lynch mob and a daring balloon ride. Juliana's dad tells her that although he has always kept all information about his estranged family from her, she has wealthy relatives in England, and he's sure that they will be accepted by them - if only they can get there.
But getting there, as it turns out, will only be half the battle. Will Juliana be able to avoid being married off to a man old enough to be her grandfather, who's rumored to have done away with his earlier wives, and to be diseased into the bargain? As Juliana tries to make her own way in the world, she realizes that more than one person's agenda is set in opposition to her well-being - and that there are yet more family secrets that she does not yet know.
My only real quibble with the book is that Juliana's a bit of a goody-goody, and the villain is a bit too one-dimensional and unsympathetic (especially considering the situation), but the book was still great fun. Although it's a straight historical, without any fantastic or supernatural elements, I think this would appeal to a lot of steampunk fans.
Many thanks to SourceBooks (who've brought this back into print) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
January 26, 2022
This is the first of three related books about the Paget family (not so closely related that they must be read in order, but interesting that way). Juliana Paget is the daughter of an Englishman who lives in self-imposed exile in Europe after a family disagreement. When a mysterious Englishwoman arrives in Florence, Juliana's father insists that they flee back to England (via a wonderful hot air balloon escape), where he hopes to be reconciled with his family...and where Juliana is drawn into a sinister plot to steal her inheritance. It's a Regency romp with Gothic overtones, and a lot of fun.
October 5, 2009
Mr. Paget has spent a lifetime wandering around Europe writing histories, his young daughter Juliana in tow. But with his health failing, he is forced to return to his family home, thus affording Juliana her first sight of England. But there, Juliana is soon left to make her own way in Society, with little assistance from her relatives. Only two men are of any help: the dashing Captain Davenport and the plump smuggler Count Van Weckler. Will Juliana manage to navigate the treacherous waters of gold-hunting suitors and lecherous old men?
A fun book, with a relatable, believable heroine and an actual plot. I found the romance a bit lacking--I had the same problem with Aiken's Mansfield Revisted. Only pages from the end, the heroine accepts a proposal of marriage from a man she never showed much interest in before, while saying "of course I love you!" Um, since when? It's pretty clear that Juliana gets married because the exciting plot is wrapped up and Aiken knows the only proper end to a Regency is romance. I need to be sold on a romance--if they're going to marry each other, I'd like to see a few inklings of attraction beforehand.
A fun book, with a relatable, believable heroine and an actual plot. I found the romance a bit lacking--I had the same problem with Aiken's Mansfield Revisted. Only pages from the end, the heroine accepts a proposal of marriage from a man she never showed much interest in before, while saying "of course I love you!" Um, since when? It's pretty clear that Juliana gets married because the exciting plot is wrapped up and Aiken knows the only proper end to a Regency is romance. I need to be sold on a romance--if they're going to marry each other, I'd like to see a few inklings of attraction beforehand.
April 16, 2023
I'm being nostalgic and reading books by favorite childhood authors that I missed back then. I love Joan Aiken, especially Died on a Rainy Sunday, which I read probably twice a year in my teens and early twenties.
This is a different genre, more like a Jane Austen novel, and I really enjoyed it. Our heroine, Juliana, was a bit too perfect (beautiful, innocent, dutiful, smart, accepting, hardworking, talented) but that's forgivable. If you enjoy a Regency romance, it's a fun one.
This is a different genre, more like a Jane Austen novel, and I really enjoyed it. Our heroine, Juliana, was a bit too perfect (beautiful, innocent, dutiful, smart, accepting, hardworking, talented) but that's forgivable. If you enjoy a Regency romance, it's a fun one.
January 23, 2019
A pretty fun regency-era adventure, with interesting characters.
Sadly a bit marred by Aiken's poor morals ("oh, wow, that person doing wicked things is really nice, so I guess those things aren't wicked after all!" ... *sigh*).
Sadly a bit marred by Aiken's poor morals ("oh, wow, that person doing wicked things is really nice, so I guess those things aren't wicked after all!" ... *sigh*).
November 27, 2015
I liked Joan Aiken‘s writings as a child and love them as an adult; the Wolves of Willoughby Chase series is a wonderful gothic romp, and her story collections are wild and beautiful and sad and funny. I’ve discovered recently she wrote adult books too, and have tracked some down on Amazon.
This is an adventure (with a love interest) set in 1794, against the French Revolution, with appearances by the future Prince Regent and his brother. Although the story starts with a near-hanging and an escape in a balloon, the pace seems quite slow at first, but soon picks up. Juliana, the heroine, having fled Italy because of a sinister woman her father fears, finds herself alone and unwanted by her English relatives. Spirited and resourceful, but also young and naïve, she grabs at friendships with new acquaintances, only to find that they turn out, one after another, to have sinister designs on her. Is there anyone she can trust?
At times the writing was rather stilted or overdone – Juliana’s devotion to her father is hard to believe in these days – but the story dashes on with energy as the heroine lurches from one adventure to the next and meets a string of curious characters, and I stayed up late to find out what happened next.
There are some nice touches. Juliana’s father, when he learns there is little space in the hot air balloon for belongings, is aghast at the idea of not taking his books, and decides he and Juliana must leave their clothes behind instead. I liked, too, the choice for Juliana’s ideal man – King Charles I, who her father was writing a biography of; an ironic choice in a time when the French nation had clashed with and executed their own king.
So, overall, an entertaining and action-packed romp.
This is an adventure (with a love interest) set in 1794, against the French Revolution, with appearances by the future Prince Regent and his brother. Although the story starts with a near-hanging and an escape in a balloon, the pace seems quite slow at first, but soon picks up. Juliana, the heroine, having fled Italy because of a sinister woman her father fears, finds herself alone and unwanted by her English relatives. Spirited and resourceful, but also young and naïve, she grabs at friendships with new acquaintances, only to find that they turn out, one after another, to have sinister designs on her. Is there anyone she can trust?
At times the writing was rather stilted or overdone – Juliana’s devotion to her father is hard to believe in these days – but the story dashes on with energy as the heroine lurches from one adventure to the next and meets a string of curious characters, and I stayed up late to find out what happened next.
There are some nice touches. Juliana’s father, when he learns there is little space in the hot air balloon for belongings, is aghast at the idea of not taking his books, and decides he and Juliana must leave their clothes behind instead. I liked, too, the choice for Juliana’s ideal man – King Charles I, who her father was writing a biography of; an ironic choice in a time when the French nation had clashed with and executed their own king.
So, overall, an entertaining and action-packed romp.
September 16, 2016
Juliana Paget lives with her father an author in Florence, Italy. When finds out a woman was asking about him he panics and insists that they flee the country and return to England and Flintwood Manor in Hampshire to where her grandfather lives. During the trip Julia saves a man from hanging and they end up making the trip to across country to England in an air balloon piloted by dashing Captain Davenport the man Juliana saved. Her grandfather is a cold man who has no time for her. Her father’s health is poor and he dies and leaves her to navigate through society all alone except for her Aunt and new friends. Entering into society Juliana manages to navigate the treacherous waters of gold-hunting suitors and lecherous old men and now someone is out to murder her. A fun filled adventure to be sure!!!
I received an ARC copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2013
I love Aiken’s Dido Twite series, so I was slightly startled to discover that she has a LOT of books I haven’t read. The Smile of a Stranger is a slightly madcap Regency romance. It comes the closest to fulfilling my wish for more Heyer books than anything else I’ve read. It’s not Heyer–it doesn’t have quite the same magic touch–but it’s close.
February 9, 2019
This first book of the Paget Family Saga tells a complete story and can stand alone. Other books in the series are about relatives of the main character in this book.
The book is from Juliana's POV. She is kind and intelligent and mostly optimistic. Some prominent secondary characters are one dimensional.
The story follows her attempts to find a secure place in life while everyone around her is trying to control her without having much care for her desires. It is a fairly typical story of an unmarried woman in the Regency world who must depend on her relatives. The problem is that after her father dies, none or her relatives such as her grandfather, aunt, uncle and cousins, really want her. They want to foist her off on a husband and Juliana doesn't like their choices. Her mother is a scandal and doesn't care about her either. Yet Juliana can't really get anyone to tell her much about her mother. There is something about her situation that doesn't quite make sense to her until all the pieces fall into place.
The early story is slow until she angers those relatives and then runs away. From then on she encounters several perils both great and small and the adventures get interesting. There are elements of humor, even to the point of silliness.
I'm not quite sure about how accurate is JA's portrayal of the Regency world. She refers to 18 as Juliana's coming of age, but everything else I've ever read puts that at mid twenties (25 I think). At a dance, a stranger tries to dance with her without introduction and then after an introduction she dances with him three times and it would have been more if she hadn't ditched him. More than twice is considered a scandal. Perhaps that was the point, but if so, JA should have pointed it out. As to how these things affect the story, they are completely minor, but if you are going to write a historical novel, then be accurate.
Mature themes: there are no sex scenes, but there are kidnappings and threats of rape and a miserable slow death. There are murders, attempted murders and other physical violence.
The book is from Juliana's POV. She is kind and intelligent and mostly optimistic. Some prominent secondary characters are one dimensional.
The story follows her attempts to find a secure place in life while everyone around her is trying to control her without having much care for her desires. It is a fairly typical story of an unmarried woman in the Regency world who must depend on her relatives. The problem is that after her father dies, none or her relatives such as her grandfather, aunt, uncle and cousins, really want her. They want to foist her off on a husband and Juliana doesn't like their choices. Her mother is a scandal and doesn't care about her either. Yet Juliana can't really get anyone to tell her much about her mother. There is something about her situation that doesn't quite make sense to her until all the pieces fall into place.
The early story is slow until she angers those relatives and then runs away. From then on she encounters several perils both great and small and the adventures get interesting. There are elements of humor, even to the point of silliness.
I'm not quite sure about how accurate is JA's portrayal of the Regency world. She refers to 18 as Juliana's coming of age, but everything else I've ever read puts that at mid twenties (25 I think). At a dance, a stranger tries to dance with her without introduction and then after an introduction she dances with him three times and it would have been more if she hadn't ditched him. More than twice is considered a scandal. Perhaps that was the point, but if so, JA should have pointed it out. As to how these things affect the story, they are completely minor, but if you are going to write a historical novel, then be accurate.
Mature themes: there are no sex scenes, but there are kidnappings and threats of rape and a miserable slow death. There are murders, attempted murders and other physical violence.
December 30, 2025
Very much in the vein of Georgette Heyer, "The Smile of the Stranger" introduces us to Juliana Paget, who has been living in 1790s Florence with her father, the disgraced younger son of a military family, who writes historical biographies under a pen name. Juliana is a devoted daughter, both capable but a terrible judge of character. When she and her father return to England, fleeing a threat from his past, that lack of discernment will involve Juliana in misunderstandings large and small as she is launched upon society. Silly cousins (à la the younger Bennett sisters), lecherous suitors, a villainous mother, a pet monkey, and a French courtesan all round out some of the memorable secondary characters. The novel's fault is that it runs along happily until Aiken seems to remember that it needs to have a point, and that it is meant to be a romance, at which time it hurries to what feels like a hasty conclusion. Despite this, "The Smile of the Stranger" is an enjoyable diversion.
March 19, 2024
An older, and old-fashioned, romance novel. Juliana is naive AF, which is partially understandable simply due to how she was raised. (Alone with her father, hopping around Europe, constantly avoiding a mysterious someone and using fake names.) When the two of them make a dramatic escape from France with an English stranger, her whole world gets turned upside-down. There are engagements, abductions, a surprise inheritance, stalkings, murders, "love", and much more. It reminds me of Georgette Heyer, in speed and understandings if nothing else. A surprisingly good time once I stopped trying to read it seriously and just unhooked my brain to go along for the ride.
October 24, 2019
Intended for preteen- young adult audiences
Difficult to stay engaged, but no grammar mistakes. Could've been entertaining, but I could not relate with the main character because of her immaturity. Also, lots of cultural context was missing, historical details were not always accurate. I believe that this book was intended for younger audiences, it is very clean and innocent. I won't be continuing the series.
Difficult to stay engaged, but no grammar mistakes. Could've been entertaining, but I could not relate with the main character because of her immaturity. Also, lots of cultural context was missing, historical details were not always accurate. I believe that this book was intended for younger audiences, it is very clean and innocent. I won't be continuing the series.
January 2, 2021
For a teen/ preteen this would be a good read. It flowed well and was not boring.
As an adult, the story has too many annoying flaws. For example, the father never warning or discussing anything with the daughter, especially when it was a matter of life or death. The hr wanting to marry a man like King Charles I. So many other reasons.
Still, I would let my daughter read it and she would probably enjoy it.
As an adult, the story has too many annoying flaws. For example, the father never warning or discussing anything with the daughter, especially when it was a matter of life or death. The hr wanting to marry a man like King Charles I. So many other reasons.
Still, I would let my daughter read it and she would probably enjoy it.
June 19, 2019
A well-written, unusual, and satisfying novel. Aiken’s writing is unparalleled, and her knowledge of Regency details alone makes this a worthwhile read. Her plotting is strong, as with her children’s books — here it’s like a light coming-of-age series of unfortunate events! Not steamy romance material, but as I said the story is satisfying because it all comes together nicely at the end.
May 4, 2021
I just couldn't get into this book. I remember reading Ms. Aiken's "Jane Fairfax" , billed as a "companion novel" to Jane Austen's "Emma" and really enjoying it, but this book just didn't draw me in.
Perhaps I'll re-read "Jane Fairfax" and see if I still feel the same way about it. Funny how one's tastes can change over time...
Perhaps I'll re-read "Jane Fairfax" and see if I still feel the same way about it. Funny how one's tastes can change over time...
January 8, 2023
Great lead character in Julia. So different to a lot of Regency romances and it’s so well written. A strong and active female lead who’s uses her energy and intelligence to good end. Lots of really strong and interesting women throughout and even some very decent males. Highly recommended and I’ll be seeking out more of Aitken’s many books now that o have found her…
August 14, 2018
Enjoyable reading with a not-so-perfect hero and a bit naive, but nice heroine. Once again with Joan Aiken's romances I feel that they could indeed have some more romantic scenes, but at the same time mc's really seem to be a good match.
September 12, 2017
I thought this was a great story with so many twists and turns that it held my interest. This was not truly a romance, per se. I want to read on in the series.
July 19, 2018
Another fun Regency romp, a bit madcap.
September 9, 2018
Very fun madcap Georgian romance, à la Heyer. Not quite as skillful, perhaps, and with a bit more melodrama, but also the Aikenish appreciation for absurdity and interest in kindness.
December 13, 2019
A straight forward historical romance with a large dash of humour. Not Joan Aiken’s usual fare but she does it with aplomb.
February 16, 2022
A jolly Georgette Heyeresque romp. I enjoyed it immensely. It reminded me a little of some of Aiken's Dido Twaite books. Great fun
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February 28, 2017This was completely engrossing, even though it's melodramatic and really not up to Aiken's usual grace and balance of language. I read it in one day, and I think it filled the same place all the endless Victoria Holt books filled, except this was less torrid and also, happily, third person; Juliana's immeasurable goodness (Pollyanna-esque patience, this girl, and astounding seamstress skills too) would have grated unbearably in first person. I also liked that the romance was pretty understated, and I liked that the heroine had some spunk, even if she's threatened rather too often by lecherous scoundrels who would like to deflower and marry her. Ah, the perils of money and beauty in the (pre)Regency era.
December 28, 2016
Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread:
Before spotting this book, I was mostly aware of Joan Aiken for her children’s books, notably The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. I’m always happy to sample new genres from familiar authors, even if in my experience with the result hasn’t always been satisfactory. My interest is especially piqued by books that are the first in a series, not entirely straying from the aspects I already enjoy in existing favourites. So a jump from children’s historical fiction to historical romance seemed well worth investigating.
Juliana Paget has grown up around the great cities of Europe, travelling with her historical biographer father and, latterly, acting as his scribe and secretary as his health begins to fail. After hearing of Juliana’s chance encounter with an older English lady while out shopping, her father insists that they must move on again, even though he’s reached a critical point in his book on Charles I. So they pack up their library and other possessions and set off toward England, leaving Italy and unknown dangers behind to face very obvious dangers in Revolutionary France.
The ever-resourceful Juliana soon finds herself rescuing a fellow traveller, Herr Welcker – a Dutchman, also on his way to England – and in return he transports Juliana and her father across the English Channel in his hot air balloon – more regularly used to smuggle art treasures for the Prince Regent. More stories need hot air balloons, especially when the inhabitants include two crotchety men and one plucky heroine. On arrival in England, Juliana soon finds herself in the household of her grandfather, another crotchety man, who greatly disapproves of his son’s writing, no matter how popular his books are in England and abroad.
Juliana is dispatched to London for the Season, in order for her to find a suitable husband, but none of the men she meets at first live up to her ideal man: Charles I. She does, however, meet a number of villains, whose ranks include some of her own relatives, and slowly discovers the nature of the danger her father is so worried about. I quickly guessed the true identities of both the English woman from Italy and the suitor that Juliana most keenly believes to be the man she is destined to marry; however, that did nothing to spoil my enjoyment of the book as a whole, especially the appearance of real historical figures and events
My one criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed, but there are two more books in this series, so hopefully the loose ends will be tied up in one or other of those. All in all a good introduction to the characters and their setting; I look forward to learning more about them in future books.
Before spotting this book, I was mostly aware of Joan Aiken for her children’s books, notably The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. I’m always happy to sample new genres from familiar authors, even if in my experience with the result hasn’t always been satisfactory. My interest is especially piqued by books that are the first in a series, not entirely straying from the aspects I already enjoy in existing favourites. So a jump from children’s historical fiction to historical romance seemed well worth investigating.
Juliana Paget has grown up around the great cities of Europe, travelling with her historical biographer father and, latterly, acting as his scribe and secretary as his health begins to fail. After hearing of Juliana’s chance encounter with an older English lady while out shopping, her father insists that they must move on again, even though he’s reached a critical point in his book on Charles I. So they pack up their library and other possessions and set off toward England, leaving Italy and unknown dangers behind to face very obvious dangers in Revolutionary France.
The ever-resourceful Juliana soon finds herself rescuing a fellow traveller, Herr Welcker – a Dutchman, also on his way to England – and in return he transports Juliana and her father across the English Channel in his hot air balloon – more regularly used to smuggle art treasures for the Prince Regent. More stories need hot air balloons, especially when the inhabitants include two crotchety men and one plucky heroine. On arrival in England, Juliana soon finds herself in the household of her grandfather, another crotchety man, who greatly disapproves of his son’s writing, no matter how popular his books are in England and abroad.
Juliana is dispatched to London for the Season, in order for her to find a suitable husband, but none of the men she meets at first live up to her ideal man: Charles I. She does, however, meet a number of villains, whose ranks include some of her own relatives, and slowly discovers the nature of the danger her father is so worried about. I quickly guessed the true identities of both the English woman from Italy and the suitor that Juliana most keenly believes to be the man she is destined to marry; however, that did nothing to spoil my enjoyment of the book as a whole, especially the appearance of real historical figures and events
My one criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed, but there are two more books in this series, so hopefully the loose ends will be tied up in one or other of those. All in all a good introduction to the characters and their setting; I look forward to learning more about them in future books.
November 13, 2013
Miss Juliana Paget has lived in Florence most of her life with her beloved father who is a writer of well-known histories. She acts as scribe to her ailing father and has developed a crush on King Charles I. After relating to her father an amusing tale of an outraged foreign woman shopping on the Ponte Vecchio, her father suddenly grows very pale and agitated and insists they leave the country for England at once! That is easier said than done for they must pass through France where a bloody revolution is taking place. Along the way, a nice man helps Mr. Paget ease his travel sickness and in turn Juliana saves the stranger from being hanged by a French mob. The stranger, Herr Welcker, an envoy of the Prince of Wales, is in France to collect treasures for the prince. Juliana and her father then embark on a dangerous, dashing journey across the English channel accompanied by Herr Welcker. Upon arriving in England, Juliana discovers family she never knew she had. Her father had been estranged from his family for many years since his marriage to an unsuitable woman and his refusal to join the army like his forefathers. Juliana spends some time in London acting Cinderella to her spoiled ugly cousins while her aunt tries hard to marry Juliana off to the revolting old Sir Groby. Juliana is rescued by the handsome Captain Cox who bears a strong resemblance to King Charles I. Juliana soon discovers that the sheltered life she had led and her father's secrets may put her in grave danger especially from her own mother! She is not without allies though but her innocence may overcome their protection.
This story started off exciting full of mystery and a daring escape but quickly turned melodramatic. There is a lot going on in this story and it's too much for one novel. Juliana is too naive for me to like her much. She has been sheltered all her life but her guardians should have done a better job protecting her and helping her understand the danger she was in. I figured out the villain and their motive right away! The romance is very unconventional and mostly a non-romance until the very end. The relationship between the characters should have been built up more. I didn't really like the hero and wished that some of the story was from his point of view so the reader could get to know him better. Some of the secondary characters were very appealing and I enjoyed reading about them more than Juliana. The eighteenth century setting seems well-researched except for some factual errors, one of which may have been deliberate by the character and one may have been a typo. The setting is the best part of the whole book. I can fully visualize 1794 England. I would recommend this book to fans of the traditional Regency plot.
This story started off exciting full of mystery and a daring escape but quickly turned melodramatic. There is a lot going on in this story and it's too much for one novel. Juliana is too naive for me to like her much. She has been sheltered all her life but her guardians should have done a better job protecting her and helping her understand the danger she was in. I figured out the villain and their motive right away! The romance is very unconventional and mostly a non-romance until the very end. The relationship between the characters should have been built up more. I didn't really like the hero and wished that some of the story was from his point of view so the reader could get to know him better. Some of the secondary characters were very appealing and I enjoyed reading about them more than Juliana. The eighteenth century setting seems well-researched except for some factual errors, one of which may have been deliberate by the character and one may have been a typo. The setting is the best part of the whole book. I can fully visualize 1794 England. I would recommend this book to fans of the traditional Regency plot.
September 6, 2016
Juliana Paget, age 18, lives with her father, an author in Florence, Italy. When she tells her father about a woman she met that day asking for him, he panics and insists that they flee the country and return to England and Flintwood Manor in Hampshire. That is where her grandfather lives. His name is General Sir Horace Fallesley Paget. Juliana had not known of her father’s family and learns that her father left because her grandfather did not approve of her mother, Laura. As her grandfather had predicted, the woman left Juliana with her father and disappeared.
As their funds are limited and it is wartime, it is a trek for them to get to the coastline to return to England. Along the way, Juliana saves a man from hanging. He calls himself a doctor. At the coast, they end up making the trip to England via a balloon piloted by the man Juliana saved. By the time they arrive in England and Flintwood Manor, her father’s health has deteriorated so badly that he drops dead.
Juliana’s grandfather is a cold man who has no time for her so he quickly sends her to stay with her aunt. She is married to a Baronet and her grandfather wants her aunt to introduce Juliana to Society. But the woman wants nothing more than to see the girl married off because Juliana’s background is an embarrassment to them.
This is when the story really takes off. Someone wants Juliana dead. Could it be her own mother? But why? That’s when Juliana runs away and is befriended by a lovely French lady.
This story is full of adventure and will keep the reader quickly turning pages.
Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
As their funds are limited and it is wartime, it is a trek for them to get to the coastline to return to England. Along the way, Juliana saves a man from hanging. He calls himself a doctor. At the coast, they end up making the trip to England via a balloon piloted by the man Juliana saved. By the time they arrive in England and Flintwood Manor, her father’s health has deteriorated so badly that he drops dead.
Juliana’s grandfather is a cold man who has no time for her so he quickly sends her to stay with her aunt. She is married to a Baronet and her grandfather wants her aunt to introduce Juliana to Society. But the woman wants nothing more than to see the girl married off because Juliana’s background is an embarrassment to them.
This is when the story really takes off. Someone wants Juliana dead. Could it be her own mother? But why? That’s when Juliana runs away and is befriended by a lovely French lady.
This story is full of adventure and will keep the reader quickly turning pages.
Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 25, 2016
That's two down and one more to go. Then I'll do the reviews. This was really good. An innocent but feisty main character who moves quickly from one danger to another. She doesn't know who to trust and she's surrounded by some she can't and some she should. But nobody's sharing their secrets. Full review soon.
My Review:
I'll try to get these in the correct order, though they don't have to be read in order, or even together. This book has a great heroine. She was in Italy with her father. Then he gets killed in France. So, she jumps into a hot air balloon with a man she doesn't know and escapes across the Channel to England for her first season, which she handles with aplomb, of course. She's quite a plucky character and well traveled by now.The unknown hot air ballooner flits through the shadows from time to time, but she still doesn't know who he is. She does know that he kisses very nicely.
She keeps having to explain whose side she's on, as she keeps getting into trouble. But in the end, the Count claims her and keeps her out of any more trouble. So there's the HEA.
I received this eARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley
My Review:
I'll try to get these in the correct order, though they don't have to be read in order, or even together. This book has a great heroine. She was in Italy with her father. Then he gets killed in France. So, she jumps into a hot air balloon with a man she doesn't know and escapes across the Channel to England for her first season, which she handles with aplomb, of course. She's quite a plucky character and well traveled by now.The unknown hot air ballooner flits through the shadows from time to time, but she still doesn't know who he is. She does know that he kisses very nicely.
She keeps having to explain whose side she's on, as she keeps getting into trouble. But in the end, the Count claims her and keeps her out of any more trouble. So there's the HEA.
I received this eARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley
July 5, 2008
17 year old Juliana Paget has lived uneventfully with her eccentric father for years in Italy but the nearby French Revolution and an ominous stranger force the pair to head for England. However, unexpected adventures on the way will change Juliana's life irrevocably.
February 18, 2016
Wie so oft führt mich Ms Aiken vollends an der Nase herum, und gleichzeitg die verdrießlichsten und dann wieder die schillerndsten Beispiele des Mannsvolkes vor ... Konnte das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen!!
November 23, 2016
Loved it; this book from one my favorite author's is a re-read.
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