The Famous Heroine/The Plumed Bonnet (Dark Angel #3-4)

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The Famous Heroine/The Plumed Bonnet (Dark Angel #3-4)

3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 · rating details · 505 ratings · 65 reviews

Beloved New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh spins two classic stories of Regency England—splendid novels of mistaken identity and unmistakable passion, where marriage is only the beginning of true love.

THE FAMOUS HEROINE
Cora Downes has beauty, spirit, and money, but no breeding. Yet when she gains renown for a daring rescue, she finds herself thrust into high soc...more

ebook, 383 pages

Published October 25th 2011 by Dell

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May 12, 2013 Lady Wesley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: amz-rev

This book is a reissue of two Mary Baolgh Signet Regency stories from 1996. Early Balogh is not as good as later, but even so these are sweet, enjoyable stories. As I understand it, the Dark Angel series (no idea what that name is supposed to imply) is about four friends who embark upon forced, or nearly forced, marriages to women they don't love, or who don't love them. Naturally, they all end up happy.

In The Famous Heroine, Cora Downes rescues a duke's young nephew from drowning in Bath and...more This book is a reissue of two Mary Baolgh Signet Regency stories from 1996. Early Balogh is not as good as later, but even so these are sweet, enjoyable stories. As I understand it, the Dark Angel series (no idea what that name is supposed to imply) is about four friends who embark upon forced, or nearly forced, marriages to women they don't love, or who don't love them. Naturally, they all end up happy.

In The Famous Heroine, Cora Downes rescues a duke's young nephew from drowning in Bath and is brought to London by the grateful grandmother. Since Cora is a wealthy Bristol merchant's daughter, she is clearly out of her element, but the ton, is intrigued by her heroism (and her dowry) and is rather accepting of her anyway. Lord Francis Kneller, a friend of the duke's, agrees to help squire her about to meet an eligible husband, and they become good friends. Because Lord Francis dresses in lace and bright colors, like a dandy (a macaroni, perhaps?), while all the other gentlemen have adopted Beau Brummel's austere look, Cora assumes that he is probably a man who does not perfer women. (It's rather odd that Cora even knows about such things and that she's so accepting of him, but hey it's Romancelandia.) Purely by accident, he compromises her in public, twice, and feels honor-bound to offer for her. Why she accepts is never entirely clear, except that she likes him and enjoys his company. They hie off to the country; misunderstandings ensue; happiness results.

The Plumed Bonnet is about the Duke of Bridgwater (Lord Francis's friend from the previous story) and his marriage to a governess turned heiress, Stephanie Gray. He literally picks up Stephanie on a country road, when she is wearing a fuchsia cape and a pink bonnet with three feathers. He thinks she's an actress or a ladybird and invites her into his carriage, mostly because he's bored and she has concocted a far-fetched story about being robbed on the way to claim her vast inheritance at her grandfather's estate in Hampshire. After they have traveled three days together and arrived at the estate, he is shocked to learn that her story is true. He insists that she marry him, partly to assuage his honor and partly because she will otherwise be forced to marry a creepy relative in order to keep her inheritance. (The will is one of those where she has to marry within six months to get the money. Did people really do that back then?) She accepts and they go to London, where the dowager duchess (the grateful grandmother from the previous story) trains her to be a proper duchess. Indeed, she becomes so proper that her own personality disappears, but she is so grateful to the duke for rescuing her and treating her with respect that she is determined to be the wife he should have. After they're married, he confesses what he first thought about her, and offers her her freedom. I think we all know what happens next.

These books are relatively short, compared to Balogh's later works, so the characters are less well-developed. Like I said, though, they are sweet, fun stories for a quick read.

Kudos to Mary Balogh for working to see that her backlist is published in ebook format.(less)

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Nov 29, 2012 Carrie Olguin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Two full length romances. These are pure romance stories. No bad guys. No outragous adventures. The pace is correct for the story but may seem slow for some readers. But I liked them, that slow slide into love. Both had a few sensual sex scenes.

These are about how two strangers who meet, show an interest in each other (Not and instant attraction) and then circumstances throw them into marriage where they learn about emotional and physical intimacy. Somewhere along the way, they fall in love.

In t...more Two full length romances. These are pure romance stories. No bad guys. No outragous adventures. The pace is correct for the story but may seem slow for some readers. But I liked them, that slow slide into love. Both had a few sensual sex scenes.

These are about how two strangers who meet, show an interest in each other (Not and instant attraction) and then circumstances throw them into marriage where they learn about emotional and physical intimacy. Somewhere along the way, they fall in love.

In the first story, the hero dresses like a dandy (wears pinks and lavenders) so the heroine concludes he has a preference for men. She enjoys the friendship he offers not realizing how much he lusts for her even though he's the brother of a duke and her father is in trade.

Circumstances beyond their control cause a scandal that compels them into marriage. She says yes because, having given up on the idea of romantic love at her advanced age, she sees him as a great life-long companion and he can provide her with a home of her own, even though she will have to forgo having children.

In the second story our hero (a duke) picks up a stranded woman from the road. Because of her hat and cloak (the type worn by actresses or whores) he mistakes her for a loose woman. Amuzed by the tall tale she tells, so full of cliches it has to be a series of lies (She's a vicar's daughter who lost her parents and took employment as a governess. But she has inherited her grandfather's estate and money (a man she has never met) provided she marry within four months. She set off for the estate on her own and was robbed of all her possessions and money at a coaching inn.) he doesn't belive a single word. He takes her to the supposed estate all the while enjoying her freshness, thinking that once he exposes her lies, he will make her his new mistress.

When they arrive at the estate and he realizes his mistake - everything she told him was the truth - they had already spent three days and two nights togther, alone and she is a gentlewoman. He sees no choice but to offer her marriage. But when he introduced himself to her in the carriage, he gave her his surname, not his title.

She says yes because time is short and the only other willing gentlman isn't a man she would consent to marry. She isn't certain she will be able to gain another marriage offer in the time left and she wants her inheritance, she wants a home and children.

Both characters have given up on the youthful dream of romantic love.

The adjustment from vicar's daughter/governess isn't an easy one for our heroine who believes the Duke saved her life on the road that fateful day. She's determined (with his mother's assistance) to become his perfect duchess: cold, aloof, dispassionate, lofty.

Those changes drive them apart. He preferred the woman he spent three days with in the carriage: warm, passionate, personable, caring.(less)

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Feb 09, 2012 Joanne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love when Mary puts 2 stories into one book.....always a page turner!! The Famous Heroine......Cora Downes is beautiful, has spirit and lot's of money, but lacks breeding. After rescuing a little boy from drowning, she find herself thrown into high society. Her world turns upside down, she is not used to living in a snubbish world with bejeweled gowns and the best money can buy. Cora is compromised into marriage to a lord whose interest seems to be elsewhere.

Francis Kneller a Dukes son and bro...more

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Nov 25, 2011 Jan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, z-2011, historical-romance

Happy sighs, happy sighs, happy sighs.

What two delicious feel good stories. I'm always afraid I'll find the more traditional regencies boring, because of the lack of steam, but the opposite happened here, I was quite delighted.

The Famous Heroine is a bit of a farce, and has a bit of a duck out of the water feel to it. But I always love a friends to lovers theme, and Cora and Francis were so utterly, utterly cute together. And it's always great to see that the characters are in love, and that it'...more

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Nov 09, 2011 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ahh, Mary Balogh. How I love you.

I am so glad the backlist is being published.

The Famous Heroine is Cora Downes, who has her "15 minutes of fame" due to a couple of incidents which are much overblown. She is lauded for saving the young nephew of a duke from drowning, when in reality the boy knows how to swim and she does not, and they are both helped by Cora's brother. Later, she attempts to rescue some small dogs from being trampled by a horse, but the dogs really were never in any real danger....more Ahh, Mary Balogh. How I love you.

I am so glad the backlist is being published.

The Famous Heroine is Cora Downes, who has her "15 minutes of fame" due to a couple of incidents which are much overblown. She is lauded for saving the young nephew of a duke from drowning, when in reality the boy knows how to swim and she does not, and they are both helped by Cora's brother. Later, she attempts to rescue some small dogs from being trampled by a horse, but the dogs really were never in any real danger. In the book it is all humorous, but it's the kind of thing we see every day in our modern world--stories that are exaggerated by the media.

Of course in the 19th century there was no radio or television, but there were newspapers, and among London's society, gossip was a major pastime.

Cora is not of the aristocracy; she is a merchant's daughter but goes to London for the Season with the grandmother of the young boy she rescued. It doesn't take long for Cora to get into a couple of scrapes with Lord Francis Kneller, a friend of the Duke of Bridgwater (who is sponsoring Cora in society) and Lord Francis does the honorable thing and marries Cora.

Francis still thinks himself in love with Samantha (from Lord Carew's Bride) and it takes a long time for him to realize that he has feelings for Cora.

Cora was a lovable heroine; my problem with her was that she was just too self-effacing.

The Plumed Bonnet was even better. The Duke of Bridgwater finds his wife in this book in an odd manner. While traveling toward London for the Season, he spies a woman walking along the road in a bright colored cloak and a bonnet with wildly colored large plumes. He literally picks her up and listens to her tale of being a governess, receiving a large inheritance, traveling to collect said inheritance, and being robbed of her valise and money along the way. He is hugely entertained by what he considers to be her web of lies and intends to make her his mistress.

When they arrive at her new home, the Duke finds out that she is actually an innocent who has told the truth and she is now an heiress. Since he has spent 3 days in company with her in a closed carriage, and they have spent nights without a chaperone in an inn, she is compromised and they must marry.

The Duke brings Stephanie to his mother's home in London and enlists his mother's aid in making and shaping Stephanie into a lady fit to be a duchess. After a time, she rebels and there is much tension--which grows when he finally confesses to her that upon their meeting he thought she was a liar.

Their story works out when he brings her to his country home and she is able to be herself, and has the time to get to know the duke as a person.

Very satisfying read.(less)

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Nov 14, 2011 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: from-library

These are the last two books in the Dark Angel series though one of the Christmas books, "Christmas Bride" updates us on some of the same couples by using minor characters.

Taking the first book: The Famous Heroine, Cora Downes is an unusual lead character--a woman who appears to be comfortable laughing at herself and society when it's required. But deep down insecurities even though she has a body built for being a mistress. That's the conclusion of Francis who we met in the first two books in t...more

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Nov 07, 2011 Elizabeth "Liza" rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, historical, romance

The Famous Heroine only.

A couple of weeks ago I saw this book at the grocery store and all of the sudden I felt like reading a good romance. And that is just what I did!
Cora is such a delightful character. She is full of life, she is realistic, naïve and prone to unusual “situations” that are hilarious. Francis is a strong character and I love his instant understanding of Cora and the fact that they could laugh together (no so much his choice of clothing). All the other characters were likeable...more

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Dec 04, 2011 JoAnn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

I enjoyed both stories about women dealing with how to fit into the world they will be inhabiting when they are compelled to marry men far above them in rank.

The Famous Heroine features a woman who is being offered a season in London sponsored by a duchess whose grandson she saved from drowning. She is voluptuous and very tall and feels huge and inelegant when she compares herself to the smaller women around her who are also women trained to move in the social circles she now finds herself in.

Sh...more

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Nov 01, 2011 Sheri rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Book #1--THE FAMOUS HEROINE. My grade: B+. An old regency by my favorite historical romance author. Could a couple be more opposite? Cora Downes and Francis Kneller took a long time to figure out who each other were. The journey, for the reader, was delightful.

Book #2--THE PLUMED BONNET. My grade: B. Alistair, Duke of Bridgwater, and Stephanie Grey almost missed each other--missed learning who the other person really was. They nearly didn't reveal themselves to the other person. Their "transform...more

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Feb 17, 2013 CJ Patrick rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, historical-romance

This review is for the Plumed Bonnet. This is a classic Mary Balogh with a cynical , all-about-me lord and a naive, but spunky heroine who somehow are able to make it work. I liked the book and the plot. I loved the beginning when Alistair is all "You are a liar but I want you so I'll put up with it until you're so humiliated you sleep with me" and Stephanie is innocent and naive and VERY, VERY LUCKY!

It kind of fell apart in the middle when Stephanie was being prepped by Alistair's family. She...more

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Dec 23, 2011 Estara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, read-in-2011

Of the two books the characters in The Famous Heroine were much more interesting to me, because Cora's impulsiveness is something that I totally relate to, especially in my early life. I could also see her making the mistake she did about Francis' sexual predilections as at that time the habit of men for wearing colourful clothing with lots of frills was NOT in the least in fashion anymore. I liked what we saw of her brother and father and the fact that they cherished her just as she was. She al...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Maria rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

I was delighted to find these two books of the Dark Angel series reprinted since I have not been willing to pay the out-of-print prices I have found. Now I have to check to see if the first two in the series were also reprinted. The first book in this edition and the third in the series is The Famous Heroine. It was enjoyable but didn't really grab me like The Plumed Bonnet did. I really liked Cora Downes, but never could quite get a handle on Lord Frances. From the very beginning, I could under...more

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Nov 12, 2011 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: keepers, regency-romance

I enjoyed The Famous Heroine more than The Plumed Bonnet, only because the latter was a bit sluggish in parts to me.

In both books Mary Balogh includes a character that I can really relate to.. a "real" person. Cora in The Famous Heroine was very real to me. Sometimes I felt as if she were me in another life. Stephanie in The Plumed Bonnet was also a very "normal" woman put in to less than normal circumstances, but I didn't relate to her as much as I did to Cora.

I liked that both relationships, C...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Paula rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is two stories of love sought and found in Victorian England.

The Famous Heroine is centered on Cora Downes who has a heart of gold, but no breeding according to the Ton. She rushes in to situations to save people, without considering her safety. After her rescue of a young boy in a lake, she is introduced to the boy's family, who decide to sponsor her in the quest to find a suitable husband. The ups and downs of her search are quite enjoyable and of course, true love does find her.

The seco...more

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Apr 01, 2013 Tonileg rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance

Historical English society romance in a double volume. Books #3 and #4 in the series of friends.

THE FAMOUS HEROINE
Low born (but rich merchant) woman has to marry a high born titled man with the married then finds love plot line.
Cora Downes has been socially adopted by the Duchess of Bridgwater after she saves her grandson by jumping into water and almost drowning, but now the Duchess has a plan to lance Cora into ton society and find a good gentleman to marry. Since Cora comes from a very rich,...more Historical English society romance in a double volume. Books #3 and #4 in the series of friends.

THE FAMOUS HEROINE
Low born (but rich merchant) woman has to marry a high born titled man with the married then finds love plot line.
Cora Downes has been socially adopted by the Duchess of Bridgwater after she saves her grandson by jumping into water and almost drowning, but now the Duchess has a plan to lance Cora into ton society and find a good gentleman to marry. Since Cora comes from a very rich, but merchant family so she can not try for a titled gentleman, but a younger son would be perfect to get herself into society in order to help the rest of her family enter high society. There is a lot of pressure on Cora. So when Alistar Munro, the Duke of Bridgwater enlists Mr. Francis Kneller (younger brother to another Duke) to help bring Cora out by showing some attention. Francis is still heart-sore from his rejection from Dark Angel/Lord Carew's Bride so he is not looking for anything but fun in society at the moment. Cora is not tiny and delicate, she is voluptuous and just pretty not beautiful although she does have a strong personality (she must have if she will just jump into the water to save a strange child!). Cora is a optimistic fun person which is just what will attract the cultivated-ly bored high society men. I really liked Cora, she might be one of my favorite historical romance heroines of all time. I just found her a little superficial because she doesn't ever question her feelings for Lord Francis outside of fun and friendship, but that is fine for a young woman of her age (early twenty-ish?). I loved that Cora thought Francis was gay! What a funny scene to witness and I did wonder if a lady would have known if that was even possible when they weren't even supposed to know what happens in the marriage bed before they get married!
3 stars

THE PLUMED BONNET
Duke of Bridgwater and best friend to Lord Carew from the second book in this series, will now have his own romance story. Historical English romance with mistaken identities where Lord Alistair, Duke of Bridgwater is on his way to yet another boring season in London with his sisters and mother. He is just leaving from an extended vacation with his best friends (see the first three books) and technically another 6 years has passed since The Famous Heroine / The Plumed Bonnet Cora's love story with Francis. Alistair is surrounded by love matches which is a rare occurrence in his ton society, he has pretty much given up on having a love match and knows that he should probably get married and produce a heir soon.
Alistair Munro, the Duke of Bridgwater. Enter Miss Stephanie Gray, a former governess (as of less then 48 hours ago) and she is more then a little naive and ignorant about thieves and traveling in England. She is alone with no money on the side of the road dressed a bit like a whore/actress with a bright crazy cloak and hat. So Alistair believes she is a ladybird so he thinks to amuse himself for the trip to London with a pretty toy. Big mistake, so he ends up having to offer for Stephanie because she is actually a well born (although without a title) heiress. They get married and then fall in love, a common plot device in historical romance stories, but this was well written and the miscommunications and secrets make the story interesting. Some sexy scenes but nothing kinky as usual in Mary Balogh's books.
3 stars

512 pages and mass market double book
3 stars over all(less)

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Feb 23, 2012 Quinn rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, didn-t-like-couldn-t-finish

Mary's works are very hit-and-miss for me, and most of the time, it's miss.

I tried both of these stories, and neither appealed to me within the first couple chapters, so I quit wasting my time and took the book back to the library.

I didn't care for the main characters in either. That was my biggest issue. The storylines were overused and nothing made them special enough to stand out from the crowd.

I have a great deal of respect for Miss Balogh, and I will continue to try her stories. I sugges...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Lori rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed the first story in this book, The Famous Heroine. Cora is delightfully clumsy yet courageous. It is fun to watch her win over the "ton" and charm the hero. I also liked that she isn't your typical small, gorgeous miss. She is a real sized woman, not heavy, but of bigger bone structure.

The second story, The Plumed Bonnet, was a disappointment to me. The premise is delightful and it starts well but way too much emphasis is given to the physical side of the relationship and the very last...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Kk rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Famous Heroine - Cora Downes saves a small child and then the child's mother insists on giving Cora a season to find a husband. Francis Kneller dances with Cora at the request of the Duke of Bridgewater. Francis decides to pay court to her and ends up spending alot of time together. Later after they are seen in compromising situations Francis offers her marriage but thinks he is still in love with Samantha. Samantha previously married Lord Carew. Lord Carew and Samantha may have there owns s...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Minna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, good-dialogue, good-main-characters, historical-romance, laugh-out-loud, regency-romance

Mary Balogh is one of the best...for a reason. There's only so many ways to write a love story and Ms. Balogh can generally make the reader forget all the similar themes by excellent characters, dialogue, and plot. I love that both romances were character-driven; I am not a huge fan of the "villain" plot in romances unless they are REALLY well done. I liked the Famous Heroine better; it had (as the story itself says several times) an element of farce that made reading it very fun. It reminded me...more

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Apr 03, 2012 D.G. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, reviewed

This book contained two separate stories previously published separately, both based on one of the characters making assumptions about the other based on the clothes they were wearing. They also involved the hero compromising the heroine and having to offer marriage as a result.

The Famous Heroine (3.5 stars): This story was very cute with the heroine being under a very interesting misapprehension about the hero that I've never seen in romance. And it was the kind of thing you cannot ask a person...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Shawna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of traditional regency, friends to love, & opposites attract romances

Shelves: anthologies-novellas-shorts, historical-romance, historical-romance-regency, married-couples-married-convenience, mary-balogh, hero-duke-heir-to-dukedom, heroine-chaperone-governess-teacher, heroine-commoner-lower-class, heroine-heiress-socialite, heroine-curvy-plump-not-stick-thin, heroine-naïve-virgin-like-a-virgin, friends-to-lovers, hero-gentleman, heroine-debutante-talk-of-the-ton, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, hero-beta, heroine-free-spirit-quirky, heroine-odd-spinster-wallflower, heroine-plain-jane-ugly-duckling, humorous-at-times-or-fluffy-fun, i-read-library, steam-2-warm, 2012-reads, 4-stars, hero-daddy-warbucks-wealthy, hero-darcy-paragon-haughty-staid, hero-mix-of-alpha-beta, hero-silent-quiet-type-reticent, hero-titled-wealthy-lord, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, heroine-destitute-poor, heroine-i-adore, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, heroine-plucky-lively-feisty-spunky, heroine-redhead, hh-across-the-tracks, hh-aristocracy-nobility-royalty, hh-bad-communication-conflict-mgmt, hh-big-constant-misunderstandings, hh-pygmalion-theme, hh-rags-to-riches, hh-social-class-wealth-matters, sweet-romance-left-smile-on-my-face, feel-good-read-pick-me-upper, heroine-makeover, heroine-hoyden, heroine-country-lass, hero-starchy-loosen-up-buttons-babe, heroine-good-girl-nice

4 stars – Historical/Regency Romance

The Famous Heroine is a whimsical, pleasing enough tale, but it’s The Plumed Bonnet, a delightful, feel-good story that really shines and makes this two-in-one edition/collection worth reading.

In The Plumed Bonnet, a starchy duke secretly longing for love and a destitute governess requiring marriage to secure wealth from a recent inheritance find themselves bound by a marriage of convenience. What unfolds is a sweet, truly romantic tale of two people who mask...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Greta rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historical

Amusing cases of misunderstandings - in the first, the heroine of the title is mistakenly assumed to have saved the life of a drowning child (in fact, the child wasn't drowning until she intervened!) and everything she does after that is viewed as heroic and brave. In the second, a bright cloak and bonnet cause the hero to think that the heroine is an actress, and her (true) story of how she came to be on the side of the road begging for a ride is fine theater. Satisfying conclusions to both as...more

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Nov 22, 2011 Brenda Britton rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not my most favorite Balogh books but they are earlier ones. I liked the 'Plumed Bonnet' the best of the two and it showed what a none tonish maiden had to deal with regarding coming out, especially from being a nobody to being a Duke's wife. I thought she did admirably well. The other book was also about a girl who had been born outside the ton and found herself compromised by a gentleman she first thought was gay but except for his choice of attire, he turned out to be very masculine indeed.

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Jul 26, 2012 Bree rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency, romance

Another 2 in 1 re-release of Balogh's category regency backlist.

The Famous Heroine:
An unusual mis-matched couple - since I just finished Lord Carew's Bride, I was delighted to find that The Famous Heroine features the love-lorn Lord Francis. Cora was a bit of a ninny, but that was intentional, and it was fun reading their romance as it blossomed. Lots of slapstick comedy, which I don't usually expect from a Balogh romance.

The Plumed Bonnet:
I finally finished this novel. It took me well over thr...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Sharyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The companion book to "Famous Heroine" "Plumed Bonnet is a tale of mistaken identity, then marriage, then love. The Hero has a dream of love, but doesn't believe he can love or be loved, so it takes awhile for him to realize he is in love. The heroine feels trapped, but finally sees that if she acts as her real self, she can be happy. I loved the characters and consequently, loved the book. I am off to now read 1 and 2 which I read many years ago.

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Aug 03, 2012 Kbee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, historicals, romance, a-bit-of-humor, e-books

31st of July--
The first story: The Famous Heroine, is verry good.
Really funny scenes. Tear jerker and nice love story.
Liked that we get to see Gabe,Carew and their wives again.

Now to the second story:The Plumed Bonnet, another good one!
A real cute Cinderella type love story. Did really like Stepanie (heroine)in this one and also the Duke of Bridgewater he did mean well just didn't know how to. Can't say there was real funny scenes in this one but it did bring a couple of smiles when the 3 other...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Deedee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance-england

It took me a while to finish this book because after reading the first I was distracted by other books. But I finally got the second one The Plumed Bonnet, it was okay. The heroine was better person than I because I'm not really good at living by everyone else's rules. Life is to short for propriety. It was a good read. A little long to take but good. I still like the first story better, the first heroine was a little more to my liking. They're both good reads.

Happy Reading!!! :)

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Sep 13, 2012 Laura (Kyahgirl) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: part-of-a-series, romance-historical

3/5; 3 stars; B

These two books were enjoyable entries in this series. I found it rather frustrating to constantly deal with the big misunderstanding that could have been avoided if people had an honest conversation but it wasn't too destructive. I still enjoyed both stories. I think Balogh's more recent books show a much more polished style and less reliance on standard plot elements.

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Feb 23, 2012 Virginia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have a cold. Reading this Mary Balogh reissue was like eating chicken soup, familiar, warm, and comforting.

Fans of her Slightly series will find some of the same themes and situations here with less heat, less depth (the stories had to fit within the old Signet Regency word count, after all), but with sympathetic characters and real feeling. A total comfort read.

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Nov 12, 2011 Vanessa Jaye rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: regency, romance, non-nobility-heroine

Finished the first story in this duet- The Famous Heroine. Only word to describe it is: delightful. Loved both the Lord Francis an Cora. Liked how they were amused by each other, but not necessarily attracted to one another at first. They became friends, who enjoyed each other's company and only much later realized affection had become something deeper. I'll read the second book later.

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About Mary Balogh

Mary Balogh has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.

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First Comes Marriage (Huxtable Quintet, #1)

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title link	preview: The Famous Heroine/The Plumed Bonnet
avg rating	preview: The Famous Heroine/The Plumed Bonnet Goodreads rating: 3.84 (505 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11520616-the-famous-heroine-the-plumed-bonnet?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1319675050l/11520616.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11520616-the-famous-heroine-the-plumed-bonnet?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Famous Heroine/The Plumed Bonnet by Mary Balogh[/url]

The Famous Heroine/The Plumed Bonnet (Dark Angel #3-4)

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