The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine (Sydney Dovedale, #1) by Jayne Fresina

Dec 30, 2012 RomReader rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

29yo heroine is kissed by a 24yo stranger who answered her ad for a husband in the Farmer’s Gazette. She declined his offer since her older brother doesn’t think Hero is suitable & wants her to reconsider her former beau for marriage. She was involved in a scandal 10 years ago with her former beau & has been trying to reform her life since. But Hero’s bold remarks & seductive maneuvers are playing havoc with her attempts at a respectable life. What choice does she ultimately make and...more 29yo heroine is kissed by a 24yo stranger who answered her ad for a husband in the Farmer’s Gazette. She declined his offer since her older brother doesn’t think Hero is suitable & wants her to reconsider her former beau for marriage. She was involved in a scandal 10 years ago with her former beau & has been trying to reform her life since. But Hero’s bold remarks & seductive maneuvers are playing havoc with her attempts at a respectable life. What choice does she ultimately make and what repercussions will it have?

This is my 1st Fresina book & I felt out of sorts when reading this book. At 1st the writing & plot seemed unique, unpredictable, & promising. I liked how quaint & picturesque the locales & minor characters of the book were. But more than halfway through it became apparent that this was more an ambling & rambling about H & h’s village life & broken references to their past. What seemed unique & promising became aimless & boring. There was such looseness to this book--a back & forth writing about the characters, plot, emotions, location, & time. I got tired of it & was ready to chuck this book about 2/3s of the way through.

Heroine’s character was a mess. She seesawed unpredictably between being outrageous, wanton, defiant, and devil-may-care to restrained, temperate, and socially conforming. She seemed logical & responsible in one instance and then impulsive & unthinking the next. It made her look like a crazy person…and maybe she was. Her jumping off the balcony 10 yrs before is an example of her oddity. I still don’t understand why she did it because she wasn’t suicidal nor was she pushed nor driven to it—it was 1 of those rambling & loosely-tied moments in the book. There was an inconsistency about heroine’s defiance & her seeming to conform to her family’s demands. There was no rhyme or reason as to why or when she defied or conformed. We, the readers, were just supposed to know when we read about it. This was one of the most aimless books I’ve read in a while. I was also bothered by heroine constantly blaming Hero for making her do scandalous things with him & Hero thought it was cute & was patient with her indecisiveness. Yet heroine held a lot of power. She dangled Hero & her ex-boyfriend & pretty much did what she wanted, whether her family liked it or not.

Hero was more tightly-written but there was still a lot about his history & his character that was a mystery but not in an intriguing way/more of an unclear/confusing way. He’s a beta Hero with a lot of mystery. The only sure thing about him is his obsession with heroine. He idealized her since he 1st saw her at age 14 and, upon meeting her 10 years later, treated her in an indulgently patronizing way. I didn’t feel the love but certainly his strong attraction towards her.

Minimally recommended. (less)

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Sep 22, 2012 Marlene rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reading-romances-challenge

This review was originally published at Book Lovers Inc

My Thoughts:

Once upon a time, Miss Sophie Valentine did something very, very improper. She and her fiancé, the rather wealthy James Hartley, were caught, as they say, in flagrante delicto on a billiards table in the middle of a house party. There were scads of witnesses. (Not precisely, but nearby) So James did the proper thing and asked Sophie to marry him. They would probably suit. They'd been friends for years, and he was rather handsome....more

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Jul 11, 2012 drey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, romance-historical-regency

My first thought at the title? “Hmm, what did Sophie do?”

Then I saw the ad –

Wanted: one husband, not too particular. Small dowry, several books, sundry furnishings, and elderly aunt included. Idlers, time-wasters, and gentlemen with other attachments need not apply.”

Oh yes, most improper indeed!

When you meet her family and learn her past, you no longer wonder at Sophie. Instead you want her to find her happiness. And voila! A connection between reader and character is born.

I think if I knew Sop...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Gayle Surrette rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

It all started when Sophie Valentine, in a bid for independence, and sick of hearing how she and her Aunt Finn where a dreadful drag on her brother, Henry Valentine, and his wife, Lavinia’s, expenses, placed a simple and straightforward advertisement in the Farmer’s Gazette:

Wanted: one husband, not too particular. Small dowry, several books, sundry furnishings, and elderly aunt included. Idlers, timewasters, and gentlemen with other attachments need not apply. — Miss Sophie Valentine.

Actually, i...more It all started when Sophie Valentine, in a bid for independence, and sick of hearing how she and her Aunt Finn where a dreadful drag on her brother, Henry Valentine, and his wife, Lavinia’s, expenses, placed a simple and straightforward advertisement in the Farmer’s Gazette:

Wanted: one husband, not too particular. Small dowry, several books, sundry furnishings, and elderly aunt included. Idlers, timewasters, and gentlemen with other attachments need not apply. — Miss Sophie Valentine.

Actually, it started long before she wrote that advertisement. Sophie just didn’t fit in. She wanted more but no matter what she did, she was either causing problems or not acting properly. That’s why, while waiting for James Hartley to fetch her a cool drink, she’d jumped off the balcony. She still didn’t understand why she jumped — but it left her with a scarred face and banishment to the country estate of her brother.

It was there that Lazarus Kane came in reply to her advertisement. Lazarus is actually looking for a wife and he’s rented the small estate next door to the Valentines. He intends to marry Sophia and doesn’t care how long it takes to win her.

It’s the 1800s, and women don’t have a lot of freedom of any sort. Since her jump, Sophia has been made to feel as if she’s a simpleton. She fills her time by teaching at the local school. Her brother tolerates this aberration, but he and his wife are continually telling Sophia what to do and how to act, and that teaching is not a proper occupation for a lady. Sophia is smothering under tons of shouldn’t do that and must not do this and worst of all act like a lady.

The Most Improper Miss Sophia Valentine is a romance. However, it is also a peek into the life of a woman who doesn’t fit in her society. The time period is just when education for the lower classes was being considered a good thing for the country, though many of the landed gentry thought education would give them ideas above their station. Women didn’t have much scope for their talents or education in the upper classes except to be a proper accessory to their husbands — running the household, giving parties, and begin a gracious hostess to her husbands friends. Money went from son to son and women had to be cared for by their male relatives or, as Mrs. Bennet would say, “starve in the hedgerows.”

Fresina tells the story from the point of view of Sophia and Lazarus, depending on which view will give the reader the information that the reader should have. Fresina manages to give the reader a taste of the time period (with a few exceptions for plot) and the place of women at that time.

The Most Improper Miss Sophia Valentine is delightful as Sophia and Lazarus spar with each other, her brother tries to keep control of the situation, and all the neighbors maneuver to enjoy the show. For all her unconventionality, I found it difficult to believe that it took Sophia so long to trust herself.(less)

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Jun 26, 2012 My Book Addiction and More MBA rated it 4 of 5 stars

THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE by Jayne Fresina is an interesting historical romance set in Regency England. One scandalous lady and a handsome stranger makes for an improper proposal. When Sophie Valentine places an ad in the Farmer’s Gazette,she never believes a handsome stranger,Lazarus Kane,would answer her ad. Lazarus has never forgotten the lovely Miss Sophie,her memory is burned into his brain from long ago,and has been searching for her ever since. With gossip and scandal Sophie...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

Sophie was sure a different sort of heroine and even if she regretted it later, I sure loved that she placed an add for a man in a paper. She had spirit.

Sophie is turning 30 soon, she has an annoying sister-in-law, she has a scar which other young lady says ruins her, and she caused a great scandal when young so now she is rotting away. She tries to be proper but a hussy is hiding inside of her, though she wont let her wild side free. She also climbs trees, and I liked that, cos hey I loved tree...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, non-erotic

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Sophie has always been a bit impetuous and full of the devil. She’s tried to act properly, but it never lasts. And now she’s almost thirty and still unattached.

Ms. Fresina’s story follows the habits of men back in this era. A woman can make no decisions on her own; she either lives with a husband or a married relative. She owns no property. The author makes her main character, Sophia, a woman who will not be controlled and who fights...more Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Sophie has always been a bit impetuous and full of the devil. She’s tried to act properly, but it never lasts. And now she’s almost thirty and still unattached.

Ms. Fresina’s story follows the habits of men back in this era. A woman can make no decisions on her own; she either lives with a husband or a married relative. She owns no property. The author makes her main character, Sophia, a woman who will not be controlled and who fights against her female constraints. She cares not what Henry, her brother says. Half the time when she acts out inappropriately it’s in retaliation for the way she’s treated in Henry’s household. That’s why she wrote the advertisement for the paper.

One of my favorite parts of the book is in regards to the ad Sophie places. This was a really clever plot ploy that worked out well for the characters. A portion of the ad is mentioned in the blurb. After you read it I think you'll see why Sophie is considered improper.

Not only does the author bring Sophie a suitor from her advertisement, Ms. Fresina adds in her old beau from earlier days. This effectively adds conflict because the village and brother think she should marry her old beau. Sophie is trying to decide which suitor would be the right choice for her and gossip runs rampant as the two suitors face off.

This is a busy story that flows well and shows the challenges of the time to marry for love. Money and property were the driving factors then, and women were supposed to do what they were told. I was never very good at that and neither was Sophie so it was easy for me to relate to her and made me empathetic with her problems. There is a little intrigue in the story, too, because Lazarus Kane has come out of nowhere and has no family. His background is interesting and adds another element of tension to a good love story.

Why not get yourself a copy, travel back to the past and watch Sophie fight for what she wants? It’s well worth the read.
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Jun 07, 2012 SOS Aloha rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare." - Dale Carnegie

Sophie Valentine is first scarred by her beau, James, after they are found in a comprising (albeit unsatisfying) position. Although he proposes, Sophie later spies him looking at a maid with passion that he will never give her. So she jumps, literally, at the chance to get away. Her leap off the balcony leaves another scar on her face. Sophie returns to her brother'...more "Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare." - Dale Carnegie

Sophie Valentine is first scarred by her beau, James, after they are found in a comprising (albeit unsatisfying) position. Although he proposes, Sophie later spies him looking at a maid with passion that he will never give her. So she jumps, literally, at the chance to get away. Her leap off the balcony leaves another scar on her face. Sophie returns to her brother's home as a "fallen" woman. Ten years later, Sophie impulsively places an advertisement for a husband after her brother's wife presses him to find Sophie a governess position. Yet someone answers the advertisement - Lazarus Kane. He knows something about second, even third, chances. Having spied Sophie jumping for the balcony so many years ago, Lazarus is determined to marry Sophie himself despite the town's gossip, her brother's objection, and James return to Sophie's life.

Jayne Fresina delivers a fresh voice in Regency romance. I was immediately drawn into Sophie's life after she leaps from the balcony. Fresina gently delves into social issues such as extreme poverty, fallen women, and peer pressure that were relevant in the Regency Era ... and remain relevant today. I appreciated that Sophie exerted her feminist views within the constraints of the historical era. I also enjoyed Sophie understand her own passion with a little help from Lazarus.

Lazarus is a "dark" hero with a good heart. Despite his dubious beginnings, he can "save" Sophie from recurring gossip that plagues her as a "fallen woman". Lazarus can deliver her from the drudgery of being dependent upon her brother's charity. Yet is it Sophie who saves herself by realizing her own self worth and recognizing her passion. She learns to reinvent herself from Lazarus, who knows a thing or two about second changes.

Recommended read for Regency fans looking for something different. Sourcebooks provided an ARC for this review.(less)

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Jun 01, 2012 Linda Banche rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jayne Fresina’s Regency historical, THE MOST IMPROPER SOPHIE VALENTINE, is an engaging, subversive and very funny story about the masks people wear and the futility of trying to suppress one’s true nature.

Outside, Miss Sophie Valentine is the picture of propriety. Inside, the seethes with frustrated scandalous yearnings. Which is why sent an advertisement for a husband to The Farmers Gazette in the Livestock for Sale section.

Mr. Lazarus Kane answers her ad. He dresses and speaks like a gentleman...more Jayne Fresina’s Regency historical, THE MOST IMPROPER SOPHIE VALENTINE, is an engaging, subversive and very funny story about the masks people wear and the futility of trying to suppress one’s true nature.

Outside, Miss Sophie Valentine is the picture of propriety. Inside, the seethes with frustrated scandalous yearnings. Which is why sent an advertisement for a husband to The Farmers Gazette in the Livestock for Sale section.

Mr. Lazarus Kane answers her ad. He dresses and speaks like a gentleman. But his shoulders are broad, his body work-hardened and his hands rough. And he wants no woman other than Sophie.

This novel is a throwback to Jane Austen. Like Miss Austen, Ms. Fresina writes mainly about the minor gentry and the farmers below. I'm tired of reading about rich, powerful noblemen, and this book about people who make their own way with little or no help from others is a welcome change.

Sophie is a delight. She is forthright and opinionated, which is anathema in a world that trains women to be brainless idiots who bow down to men who are even more brainless. For ten long years, she’s tried and failed to make herself over. She’s almost caved in, when Lazarus arrives to prevent her from completely succumbing to the pressure of her ghastly family (except for her aunt) and the appallingly sheeplike townspeople.

I also like Lazarus. He’s survived a hard life and makes no apologies for what he’s had to do. He’s decent, kind, hard-working, intelligent and has secrets. He’s also gorgeous, and we do like our gorgeous heroes. *g*

THE MOST IMPROPER SOPHIE VALENTINE is rich with Regency texture. The characters are true to their time while exhibiting an individuality which refuses to bow down to the wrong-headed ideas of more conventional people. I love how Ms. Fresina mocks the upper classes and their pretentions of superiority by having their actions prove that they’re no better than anyone else.

By turns humorous, serious, emotional and mysterious, the book engages us as we cheer on Sophie and Lazarus and their unconventional courtship.

I liked this book very much. I’ve already pre-ordered Ms. Fresina’s next book, THE WICKED WEDDING OF MISS ELLIE VYNE.

ARC provided by Sourcebooks (less)

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Apr 28, 2012 Lexie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, book-type-arc, genre-romance-historical, review-blog

Prelim Review: I was actually quite a bit let down by this book. The heroine is significantly older than most leading historical romance ladies (she's 29 and a half), the hero has a murky past that the heroine is part of and that might be entangled with other characters as well and the heroine is quite the spitfire!

Except...I got tired of it rather quickly. I'm not sure what it was honestly. Maybe because Sophie seemed less like an opinionated, liberated woman and more like a headstrong, stubbor...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Kimberly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review written for www.books-n-kisses.com

This books has the potential to be a good book but it is just too long (about 100 pages too long) with a lot of sentiments repeated over and over. And honestly you really do not end up caring much for the two main characters. Sophie at first seems childlike climbing in trees, sneaking books, running away, etc but in the first chapter she is almost 30 years old. The synopsis says she was scarred in a childhood accident but in fact it was 10 years before th...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Stormi (Lightning Book Promotions) rated it 3 of 5 stars

I haven't read a romance book in a while and I have never read this author before, so I thought I would give it a try. It was really cute, although I found myself wishing it would hurry up and end. I think romance novels should be no longer than 300 pages in length. If I ever get the chance I will probably read a book from this author again.

Sophie was fun, and exactly how I like my heroines to be, spunky and improper..lol. Though at times the way she acted you would have thought her to be younge...more I haven't read a romance book in a while and I have never read this author before, so I thought I would give it a try. It was really cute, although I found myself wishing it would hurry up and end. I think romance novels should be no longer than 300 pages in length. If I ever get the chance I will probably read a book from this author again.

Sophie was fun, and exactly how I like my heroines to be, spunky and improper..lol. Though at times the way she acted you would have thought her to be younger than almost thirty. Though a part of my can not fault her for climbing trees as I myself am a tom boy of sorts. It just seem to not befit the person she was trying to be, though every time she tried to be proper she always seemed to do something improper, like send an ad off in the paper for a husband. Still I did like Miss Sophie Valentine.

Lazarus Kane, is pretty much a common man disguised as a gent. He had fell in love with Sophie a long time ago when he seen her on a balcony. He was only around fourteen at the time and he has been looking for her ever since. He has had a rough life but in the end it all led him back to his balcony angel. He is sexy, charming and wicked. You can't help but love him!

James Hartley is a scandrel if there ever was one, pretending to be so sweet and proper behind his gentleman's clothing! I think he was mainly put there just to ruffle Kane's feathers a bit when it came to Sophie. I despised this man.

Sophie has been known for her indiscretions, she is known around town as a falling woman. So one of the things that really made me mad through out the whole novel was the fact that Sophie didn't stand up for herself more. She could stand up to Kane, push off James Hartley, but when it came to the gossip in town about her she just let it happen. She even let her family talk about her with her right there in the room. That drove me crazy, I guess I would have never made it back in those days..lol.

Over all I felt that the novel could have wrapped up a little quicker as I started to get tired of the back and forth seduction between the two main characters. But besides that I really did enjoy the novel and I liked the two main characters, I really enjoyed Sophie's Aunt Finn as she was a riot!

If you enjoy romances then I would recommend you give The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine a try and judge it for yourself.
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Jun 21, 2012 Julie rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Historical Romance Lovers!

Shelves: historical-romance, regency-romance

Sophie Valentine is a less-than-well-to-do young woman who is on the verge of becoming an aging spinster. She has lived with her older brother and his callous, selfish wife since her most scandalous act of love that exiled her from the ton and back to her small, home-village of Sydney Dovedale, and here she has lived a less than proper life for the past ten and a half years. A life less than proper because Sophie just cannot control her head-strong urges which seem to place her frequently in pre...more Sophie Valentine is a less-than-well-to-do young woman who is on the verge of becoming an aging spinster. She has lived with her older brother and his callous, selfish wife since her most scandalous act of love that exiled her from the ton and back to her small, home-village of Sydney Dovedale, and here she has lived a less than proper life for the past ten and a half years. A life less than proper because Sophie just cannot control her head-strong urges which seem to place her frequently in precarious situations in which good common sense is not often seen. Hence, the quite good idea of advertising for a husband in the Farmer's Gazette, in hindsight, does not seem such a good and proper idea after a mysteriously, handsome gentleman appears in answer to her ad. Although to Sophie, Lazarus Kane is a stranger, this is not the case for Lazarus. He has been searching for Sophie for nearly half his life. Now that he has found her, nothing will deter him from his goal of being by her side, even the lady herself. However, he must first overcome the secrets of his past which threaten to derail the future he has for so long sought.

This is the first story I've read by Jayne Fresina, and I must say that the author definitely has a talent for narrative. The story is written in a rather unique style of Prose-type narration and because of this was uniquely pleasant and captivating to read at first. However, this positive was soon overshadowed by a story of romance that was too drawn out and plodded too slowly along. No real physical, romantic encounter takes place between the hero and heroine of the story until approximately page 150 which by that point was very frustrating. At this point, the story was more than just a little boring and flat for me. The relationship between the two never seemed to have the sparks and fire which are so important in any romance. The heroine was interesting because of her wit and daring, stubborn personality. The hero was less than special. Although described as handsome and virile, he just never communicated that special "alpha" male something that heroes need. I just was not impressed by the character nor the story. Unfortunately, I would say this is one romance that readers should pass up. However, just based on the talent of the author in her style of writing, I would give her another try should she come out with another novel. (less)

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Jun 28, 2012 Dottie rated it 4 of 5 stars

An enchanting tale! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:

At nineteen, Miss Sophie Valentine was looking for love, wanting to find it before she got too old to enjoy it. She wondered where her knight was, but being not quite beautiful, she didn’t expect to find him. However, trouble was the one thing she had no problem finding. So when she was discovered, giving her virginity away to James Hartley on the card table at a ball, his subsequent proposal made her wonder. Did he propose because h...more An enchanting tale! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:

At nineteen, Miss Sophie Valentine was looking for love, wanting to find it before she got too old to enjoy it. She wondered where her knight was, but being not quite beautiful, she didn’t expect to find him. However, trouble was the one thing she had no problem finding. So when she was discovered, giving her virginity away to James Hartley on the card table at a ball, his subsequent proposal made her wonder. Did he propose because he had feelings for her, or was it just a result of the scandal? After sending him for punch, she walked out onto the balcony and watched as he circled the ballroom looking for her. Not seeing her, he stopped to flirt with a girl younger than Sophie. Perhaps, she had her answer after all. Now she had to make a decision. Should she marry him anyway, in case she never received another proposal, or should she turn him down? With the thoughts of jumping off of the balcony running through her head, she does just that and ends up with another scar on her face.

That night, Lazarus Kane had stayed late to work in the gardens and watched her and the other beautiful people at the party. That is, until he was warned that as a servant he was invisible to the beautiful people. Ten years later, Lazarus, who has been through much and has a second chance at life, dresses and acts like a gentleman, but his hands show how hard he works. He waits outside a gentleman’s club as Henry Valentine is turned away for his unpaid debts. This is just the man he has been waiting to see. But Henry, who did not like that someone had witnessed his humiliation, had not wanted to speak to him. The following day, Lazarus went to the village of Sydney Dovedale, looking for a particular woman. As he came to a stop under a tree, trying to find her among the group of women there, he was hit by a book falling from the tree…a book unfit for a lady. In the tree was the woman he was seeking…Sophie.

Sophie’s impulsive actions have led her into trouble most of her life and that has not changed. Wanting to get away from her family, she secretly places an ad for a husband in the Farmers Gazette. But when a man shows up in answer to her ad, she finds that she cannot marry a stranger, or can she, especially when his kisses tempt her so?

Lazarus has been looking for Sophie for half of his life and now that he has come in answer to the ad, he is determined that the marriage will take place, despite her family’s opposition. But can he convince Sophie to go through it?

An enticing read, THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE, the latest book by talented author Jayne Fresina, is a passionate, witty historical romance that will put a smile on your face. Sophie does not comply with the strictures of societyand often finds herself in trouble, to her family’s dismay. Lazarus is a kind, hardworking man who wants no woman but Sophie. He has his own secrets, but he has worked hard to remake himself. I could help but root for these two delightful people who were meant for each other. Filled with secrets, gossip, scandal, passion, impulsive actions, interesting characters, witty banter, romance, true love and second chances, this book is a winner. I recommend THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE to anyone looking for an enchanting read and look forward to reading Ms. Fresina’s next book, THE WICKED WEDDING OF MISS ELLIE VYNE, the story of Sophie’s outspoken and vivacious friend, which is due out in January, 2013. In the meantime, be sure to get your own copy of THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE!

Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com

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Jun 13, 2012 Cocktails and Books rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reading-challenges, historical-romance, blog-tour, netgalley, publisher-provided

I really, really, really wanted to love this one. It wasn't about a love affair between members of the aristocracy, but rather two commoners just trying to find the one person what would make them truly happy. But this one fell a little short for me.

Sophie Valentine might as well walk around town with a scarlet letter sewn to her, since she's fodder for village gossip, simply for being seen. After she and her then beau were caught in flagrante delicto on the billiards table at a London party ten...more I really, really, really wanted to love this one. It wasn't about a love affair between members of the aristocracy, but rather two commoners just trying to find the one person what would make them truly happy. But this one fell a little short for me.

Sophie Valentine might as well walk around town with a scarlet letter sewn to her, since she's fodder for village gossip, simply for being seen. After she and her then beau were caught in flagrante delicto on the billiards table at a London party ten years prior, no one can let go of the past and have managed to cram a once vibrant and mischievous woman into spinster box demanding that she behave.

Enter Lazarus Kane.

Lazarus has an agenda and that includes finding the woman who placed the want ad the Farmer's Gazette for a husband, who also happens to be the angel he fell in love with when he was fourteen in London. Of course, Lazarus, like Sophie, is running from his past. But Lazarus wants a fresh start to be the person he thought he would have been.

Sophie and Lazarus should have been the perfect couple, but to me, it seemed like they never truly connected with one another. Instead of one "chasing" after the other, they entered into this weird contest to either ignore the other or to throw the attentions of the opposite sex in the challengers face. We knew Lazarus has been in love with his "angel" since he was fourteen, so I would have assumed the man would have pursued her a little differently than he did. More hearts and flowers or other displays of affection.

As for Sophie. She frustrated me. I'm not sure why a woman who was strong enough to jump over a ledge and run from the man she was intended to marry would allow herself to be talked down to and gossiped about. I would have expected her to stand up for herself and be true to who she is, rather than let the her brother, sister-in-law and the townspeople dictate who she should be.

Some may enjoy this story more than I did, but for me I needed Sophie and Lazarus to be a bit truer to themselves.(less)

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May 27, 2012 The Window Seat rated it 3 of 5 stars

When I read a Regency novel, I want two things to be clear from the start. The first is that it is set in Regency England. The second is that this is a book that is set in Austen's time, but that is not taking all the characters from Austen's novels and making a mockery of them. Unfortunately, The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine left me unsatisfied on both scores.

First off, you have Sophia Valentine. She is a fallen woman who at nineteen, on the verge of becoming married, gets caught in a co...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Nita rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, ebook, historical-romance, fiction, read-2012

Sophia Valentine did not expect anyone to answer the ad for a husband she put in the local gazette. She put the ad in there out of frustration after another argument with her sister-in-law. Scarred in an accident and 29 years old, she assumes she will never get married. So she is very surprised when Lazarus Kane shows up to answer the ad. Sophia is intrigued, but also wonders what kind of man answers such an ad. She doesn't know they have a past and that Lazarus has been searching for her for th...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Junebugindeed rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 04, 2012 Marya Kowal rated it 3 of 5 stars

I love a romance where the hero is a fully-drawn character!

Lazarus has a past, and isn't sure about his future. He's got dreams, fears, and desires, and not all of them revolve around Sophie's body parts. Hallelujah!

Sophie is a heroine who has been a little wild, broken tradition, and is suffering for it. Yes! Not every Victorian miss got to color outside the lines and break the rules without consequences!

I truly enjoyed this romance...the characters, even the one-dimensional siblings did show g...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Sharyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

I very much loved this story. The beginning of the book reminded me of a Jane Austen style, with the entire story taking place in a small town in England. Other reviewers have said the pacing was slow but I thought it was a nice build up, setting up all the puzzle pieces, if you will. The last third of the book was where all the puzzle pieces fell into place and the love story really heated up. I loved all the characters in this book, Sophie and Lazarus, of course, but all the secondary characte...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

More like 2 1/2 stars, but I liked the way she tied up the loose ends, so I'm giving her a bit of a ratings bump. It's a charming story, but the disapproving-family melodrama gets overly thick at times-- the author basically kept most of Sophie's family to flat stereotypes until the *very* end, which was a little disappointing. And though the author has a touch for poetic descriptive phrases, some are a little jarring, and I felt she should've reined herself in at times. Sophie was a little too...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Huong rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: skimmed

Booooring. I read up to 40% and decided it wasn't worth it to keep reading JUST to find out the secrecy behind Lazarus/the night Sophie jumped off the balcony. That's the only reason why I went past more than 10% of the book honestly. Gah. I had high hopes for this book because it sounded positively charming and right up my alley. Guess not though :(

Sophire was just really blah and Lazarus equally more blah. All the other characters weren't very amusing either. The senile Aunt Finn was probably...more

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May 31, 2012 Farrah rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review also appears on my blog at http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspo...

Starts off a little shaky but ends up a masterpiece.
The Most Improper Sophie Valentine is a brilliant book about a love that survived trials and tribulations to end up even stronger.

Sophia is disillusioned with the idea of marriage. She only puts the ad up to bother her sister-in-law and prove a point. So imagine her surprise when a hottie ends up on her door, offering his hand in marriage. She's shocked, to say the l...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Lisa Jo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, physical-collection

THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE is a novel of highs and lows. While you have a charismatic hero that leads you through a heartfelt and inspiring romance, his heroine isn't always the most appealing character. Still, Jayne Fresina's latest is a fresh, unique and enjoyable read.

Ten years ago, Miss Sophie Valentine was compromised...on the billiard table of course, with the dashing James Hartley. Refusing his proposal wasn't difficult, since Sophie had concluded she would be spending her li...more
THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE is a novel of highs and lows. While you have a charismatic hero that leads you through a heartfelt and inspiring romance, his heroine isn't always the most appealing character. Still, Jayne Fresina's latest is a fresh, unique and enjoyable read.

Ten years ago, Miss Sophie Valentine was compromised...on the billiard table of course, with the dashing James Hartley. Refusing his proposal wasn't difficult, since Sophie had concluded she would be spending her life alone. Yet ten years later, nearing the dreaded age of thirty, Sophie does the unthinkable and advertises for a potential husband in the Farmer's Gazette. Not for love or security, but rather to escape the tedious clutches of her brother and sister-in-law. Sophie is shocked when not only does her old beau James Hartley respond to her ad, but a dangerously handsome young stranger as well.

Lazarus Kane has been in love with her for years now and her clever ad finally gave him exactly what he wanted; a chance to seduce the stubborn Miss Sophie. Though she may regret placing the ad, he's not about to let her go now even if secrets from his past may turn her away. Which man will Sophie choose? Will she pick the wealth and security James has to offer? Or can love truly prevail for Sophie and Kane?

I wish I could say every aspect of THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE was something I absolutely adored, but I'd be exaggerating the truth a bit. Yes, it does have a tortured hero that has been in love with his heroine for over ten years. True, it does have a scarred heroine with a bold and brassy attitude. For some reason though, it all doesn't come together smoothly. While I'm hard-pressed to pinpoint exactly what it was that didn't fit, the only thing I can think of is the heroine Sophie Valentine.

First of all, Sophie really is improper as the title suggests or maybe the better term would be immature. Actually all of her family seemed a little bold for respectable country citizens of the 1820s. The things Sophie would say to her family and their responses back, not to mention their general treatment of her and her history was just plain cruel. Nothing was implied; it was daringly stated. I don't know if it was just because I haven't really read characters this frank with one another or if it truly was out of place. Either way, some particular lines and parts did bother me.

Depending on the severity, historical inaccuracies usually don't give me any cause for concern, since I rarely can determine what is completely right or wrong. Still, this book left me in disbelief at times. Sophie is 30 years old...for a novel set perhaps a few decades later, this would have been completely acceptable. Since I've been told the average life expectancy was 40 at this time, to some extent, it did put a black cloud over the novel. Especially after you finish the novel and get a brief glimpse at their future, you really find it hard to believe it actually happened.

So if you're still reading this, you're probably thinking ‘Ok, but she gave it a three? Doesn't sound like she enjoyed it very much.' Well, here's the thing...despite my dilemmas with the novel, I did enjoy reading it quite a bit. I adored the hero Kane and his resilient determination to win Sophie's heart. He was a very natural hero, never pretending to be something he wasn't and continually patient and kind. I also adored the fact that this was a novel about an average hero and heroine. Not a titled Lady, Duke or Marquis...just regular individuals from another time period falling in love. Ms Fresina does give their romance a sweet and compassionate flavor, encouraging you to root for their happily ever after. I was charmed by it overall even if I didn't absolutely love Sophie all the time.

While this particular plot and world created by Jayne Fresina did not captivate me completely, even though I thought it would, I still think there were many good things to be said about this novel. THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE was well written with addictive prose. I was turning the pages very quickly, anxious to know what came next. While some characters didn't hit the mark, I felt there were plenty that did. Sophie had a crazy Aunt that was hilarious to read about, and although I think his placement in the story was all too convenient, Sophie's other love interest James Hartley is a nice addition as well. The puzzle pieces were all there for this novel, I just don't think they found their correct fit. I think it is something that was possibly just a fluke this time around because Ms Fresina writes a captivating story.

Lisa Jo @ The Romance Reviews (less)

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Jun 28, 2012 Meagan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, romance

This one started out strong for me. I like the juxtaposition of a nobly born but fallen woman and an illiterate ex-soldier. It's a new idea, and one I was interested to see the author pull off. But the longer I read, the less I believed It. I could buy Sophie, as the naturally wild fallen woman, now spinster, advertising for a husband. But I could never quite buy the idea of Kane. Everything looks good on paper. He's uneducated, but smart in his way. He lacks manners, but he's charming and gentl...more

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May 31, 2012 Terra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Be careful what you wish for as it just may come true especially when you advertise for it. This story is quite cute. It's a bit slower romance than some but if you like the story of a young lady who just can't seem to do anything right but embarrass her family and cause scandal without batting her pretty little eyelashes then this is for you.

Sophie Valentine is rebellious, speaks her mind without thinking of the consequences and just seems to be in the right place at the wrong time no matter wh...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Phoenix77 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

This book was a very cute story, but required a lot of suspension of disbelief. Most of Sophie’s behavior would never have been tolerated in the times that she lived, although the book is VERY wall-paper historical in that you barely get a sense of when/where it takes place. Most of the secondary characters were thinly developed, even Sophie’s second beau James, but that just made the times we see her and Lazarus together that much better. Both Sophie and Lazarus were good people trapped by thei...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Kimm rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

My Thoughts:

I distinctly remember not too long ago wondering if anyone would ever get around to writing a common man’s Regency. We get our fill of Dukes, Earls, Heiresses and the like, but when do we ever get to see how the not so glamorous set falls in love? Truthfully, it isn’t very often. I get it – I mean, who wants to escape to the hum-drum life of some other ‘clearly not so rich and famous’ individual? Okay, concede, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to go for ordinary. After all, a good writ...more My Thoughts:

I distinctly remember not too long ago wondering if anyone would ever get around to writing a common man’s Regency. We get our fill of Dukes, Earls, Heiresses and the like, but when do we ever get to see how the not so glamorous set falls in love? Truthfully, it isn’t very often. I get it – I mean, who wants to escape to the hum-drum life of some other ‘clearly not so rich and famous’ individual? Okay, concede, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to go for ordinary. After all, a good writer can turn ordinary into extraordinary. And here my dear friends is where my point ends….I think Ms. Jayne Fresnia did a wonderful job of creating a swoon worthy love story about everyday folks. A Miss and a Mister. Quite simple and perfect.

The Heroine: Sophie – A plucky feminist, who is brave enough to place an ad for a mail order husband – just to prove a point. For the past ten years, she’s suffered the scars, literally, of a past scandal. A hasty engagement (is there any other kind?) -- followed by evidence of a cheating fiancé’ triggered an event that forever altered Sophie’s life. Will she remain forever unmarried as the result of her disfigurement? Has she truly put the hurt and feelings of betrayal behind her?

The Hero: Lazarus – He’s no real prize when you think about it. Not rich, not a Duke, not even very endearing or funny. However, Lazarus is steady and committed – especially to Sophie. She has no idea that he has waited for her these past ten years. He harbors his own secrets about the night of Sophie’s accident. It is worth mentioning that Lazarus has a pretty rough past, which has molded him into the man he is. Very serious, almost stern. Deep and brooding? Contemplative? Definitely Serious. Another little tidbit about Lazarus – he could die at any minute. Seriously…he could. I won’t elaborate on the how and why of it, just know that Lazarus appreciates life and every moment that he’s able to live it.

The Story: I think I’ve already covered the highlights of the story, but I’ll go ahead and repeat myself nonetheless. Miss Sophie, places an ad in the Farmer’s Gazette, looking for a husband. She doesn’t really believe anyone will answer her, but lo and behold….Lazarus Kane shows up in response to the ad. This is a Big Surprise to Sophie, who suddenly becomes reluctant to marry the man on sight – regardless of the rumbles and tumbles she feels around him.

Lazarus knows Sophie, even if she doesn’t remember him. She’s his “Angel” and he is set to have her. It takes some wooing – only to be interrupted by the appearance of Sophie’s old flame: the cheating fiancé’. Not to be sidetracked, all ends well when Lazarus finally wins Sophie’s heart.

There are a couple of other plot points that I haven’t brought up, particularly involving the cheating fiancé’, James Hartley. They aren’t super critical to this review, but they do add some flavor to the storyline. Surprisingly, Hartley is set to be the Hero in Fresnia’s second installment, The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne.

At the end of the day, I gladly recommend this book to Historical Romance/Regency readers. I think the use of ordinary individuals gives The Improper Miss Sophie Valentine a special quality and freshness that you don’t find too often lately. If you like good dialogue and a sound story, this is the way to go.
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May 22, 2012 Alex rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, net-galley, romance, historical

At First Sight: After a scandal 10 years before, and accident that left her with a scar on her face, an having been exasperated beyond imagining by her sister in law Lavinia, Sophie Valentine decides to take desperate measures and writes an add to the Farmer's Gazette, advertising for a husband.

Later, her temper cools and she kind of forgets about it, until Lazarus Kane shows up on her doorstep, saying that he has come to marry Sophie.

No one is happy to discover what Sophie has done as it just...more

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May 15, 2012 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: jayne-fresina, historical-romance, netgalley

Miss Sophie Valentine is a bit stunned that the dashing James Hartley has just proposed to her--after all they were just compromised together--but when she sees an interaction between him and another woman, it leaves some doubts in her mind as to his love for her. It also makes Sophie fall off a balcony that ends up leaving her with a scar and she ends the one hour engagement and is forced to live with her uptight brother and his too-good-for-you wife. Years have passed and in another burst of a...more Miss Sophie Valentine is a bit stunned that the dashing James Hartley has just proposed to her--after all they were just compromised together--but when she sees an interaction between him and another woman, it leaves some doubts in her mind as to his love for her. It also makes Sophie fall off a balcony that ends up leaving her with a scar and she ends the one hour engagement and is forced to live with her uptight brother and his too-good-for-you wife. Years have passed and in another burst of anger with her brother and sister-in-law, Sophie writes off to a local paper for a husband, never really expecting anyone to show up. So when the mysterious Lazarus Kane shows up for her hand, she is intrigued but can not accept due to reasons beyond her control. But as Kane has been looking for her this entire time, he will not take no for an answer and soon the two become all the other can think about and just when it seems they can make it work, Sophie's past comes back to cause trouble and the truth of Kane is revealed.

Hmm...I'm a bit torn about this one. I really struggled with the first half of the book. Not much happens beyond them lusting after each other and we get just tiny, tiny pieces that allude to what happened in the past. Like we don't hear the truth about Sophie's scar until three quarters on the way in but there are just little snippets to keep you going but they just made me frustrated, not intrigued. The same frustration was felt for me with the truth about Kane's past and how he came to know Sophie. I was pretty certain I knew but it would have been nice to have it confirmed a bit sooner. I did like that Sophie is a bit older than Kane, it was a refreshing twist of events. I thought this book was going to be a bit humorous but beyond a few smiles, it was a little flat for me. Overall, the second half of the book picked up the pace and was much more enjoyable but it just didn't have that extra something for me. Sophie is bold, impulsive, stubborn and doesn't always think her actions through and it causes a few problems. Kane is sexy, mysterious, likable and also stubborn and I admired his dedication to finding his angel. The writing was good and I believe I know who the couple is going to be for the next book and that one looks to be fun so I am going to definitely be reading The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne. So while not a huge winner for me, it was good but it just needed a little more to make it shine. 3 stars

I received this eARC from Sourcebooks via netgalley.com(less)

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