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Lessons in French

by Laura Kinsale (Goodreads Author)

3.64 of 5 stars 3.64 · rating details · 974 ratings · 157 reviews

Laura Kinsale's unique and powerfully written love stories transcend the romance genre. In this, her first new book in five years, she delivers a poignant, funny, sexy, Regency romance sure to delight her many fans and attract a whole new readership.

Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts with a taste for adventure, until the fateful day her father discovers them em...more

Mass Market Paperback, 480 pages

Published January 26th 2010 by Sourcebooks Casablanca (first published January 2010)

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Nov 04, 2010 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of humorous regency romance with a classic style

Shelves: favorite-or-autobuy-author, spinster-old-maid, plain-jane, awkward-misfit, friends-to-lovers, french-hero, virgin-hero, starcrossed, favorites, regency, funny-read, small-town-slice-of-life, animal-character-steals-the-show, animal-husbandry, hero-i-loved, heroine-i-loved, wrongly-accused, fugitive, scarred-hero, owned-copy, historical-romance

Laura Kinsale is back....finally! And this book was a breath of fresh air. I felt as though I was watching one of my beloved BBC period historical movies when I was reading this book (hint, hint). Instead of writing a historical romance in the modern style, Ms. Kinsale wrote a romance that reads like historical fiction. There is a strong romance here, but it is well-integrated into a story about two people who have led full lives, although their hearts have always been entwined since they were t...more Laura Kinsale is back....finally! And this book was a breath of fresh air. I felt as though I was watching one of my beloved BBC period historical movies when I was reading this book (hint, hint). Instead of writing a historical romance in the modern style, Ms. Kinsale wrote a romance that reads like historical fiction. There is a strong romance here, but it is well-integrated into a story about two people who have led full lives, although their hearts have always been entwined since they were teenagers.

Callie and Trevelyan love each other. They always have. But, that doesn't mean that their road to true love runs smoothly. Trev has a lot of secrets, and he's a wanted man. He doesn't believe that he's worthy of Callie. Callie's heart is wary of love, because she's been jilted three times, four if you count Trev running off and leaving her. Callie is a rich spinster with a serious avocation for cattle breeding. That in itself was a refreshing touch. Usually you will read about a heroine in historical books who is horse mad, but Callie is more into livestock, particularly cattle. She has a nearly encyclopedic knowledge about animal husbandry. Her beloved prize-winning bull Hubert plays a fairly large, and humorous role in this story, and the things that Trev does for Callie regarding Hubert show his devotion, although his plans often go awry.

I liked the depiction of small town English life: the social hierarchies, the gossip chain, which was quite powerful, and the interesting (and humorous) characters all added texture to this book. Even Callie's suitor, Major Sturgeon, who happened to be the first man who originally jilted her, managed to show some layers. At first, he was courting Callie (anew) for her money, but he seemed to want more from their union, even though she was happy enough to marry him, allow him his affairs, and access to her money, as long as he didn't expect intimate relations between them. He had a past with Trev that makes their connections to Callie even more complicated, in addition to being rivals for the same woman.

I admit that I was frustrated with the obstacles that kept Callie and Trev apart, particularly their stubborn insistence that they couldn't be together. Trev didn't believe he could offer Callie a good life, even though he had money. His name was mud in England, and she is the daughter of an earl who once slashed his face with a riding crop and ran him off after catching he and Callie in a compromising position. Callie has been rejected so much, she doesn't think much of her looks and the ability for a man to love her, even though Trev says numerous times how much he loves her (even before she does). I wanted to yell at them to just take what they wanted--each other. Run off together, already!!! I just had to keep reading.

It's hard to say if this book will appeal to some readers of historical romance. The relationship between Trev and Callie is the lynchpin of this story, but their love story unfolds slowly through their interactions with each other and the various characters that they encounter in their complicated lives. For readers who like that sort of dynamic, a fuller story in which the main couple plays their roles, I think they would enjoy this book. It felt very authentic and period, which I am always happy about when it comes to historical romance. This was no modern love story wrapped up in costume drama. The characters were people of their time, with all the expected social values, expectations, and hangups. I loved the mostly subtle, but sometimes laugh-out-loud humor. Die-hard romantic that I am, I found the deep, intense love between Callie and Trev irresistible, and I felt their longing and frustration for them to be together, even though circumstances seemed to work against them at every turn. They were committed to living their lives apart, but it was clear their lives weren't complete without each other. Even though the love scenes aren't terribly detailed, I felt the passion between Callie and Trev. I really rooted for them, and I loved the end of this book. It wraps everything up very nicely, with a very happy ending for this couple, on many levels.

Lessons in French was a sweet, delicious, and unique love story. I'm glad that Ms. Kinsale took a chance and wrote something that is quite different from her other books. I'd nominate this one for a movie in a heartbeat!(less)

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Oct 06, 2011 FlibBityFLooB rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, era-regency-pre-victorian, witty-i-am-not, will-never-read-again

Started out promising, but I got very tired of the story. I would have renamed the book "THE FRENCHIE'S BULL FIASCO" instead of Lessons in French.
How much can one withstand reading about bulls in a historical novel? Bleh.

I was expecting so much more. Oh well. I have read other books by Laura Kinsale and enjoyed them, so don't let me discourage you. You may like the bull fiasco ;)

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Aug 10, 2011 Juliana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Juliana by: Ruth

Shelves: historical-romance, challenge-2011-wllk-all-things-smmr, 0-reviewed, 0-wishlist-buy-in-dead-tree-form, 2011-aug-reads, 2011-reads, 4-to-5-stars, library-book, hr-big-misunderstanding-left-unsaid, hr-big-secrets-surprises, hr-class-difference, hr-have-a-past-together, hr-hero-aristocrat-lord-titled, hr-hero-argumentative, hr-hero-black-sheep-rebel-outcast, hr-hero-foreigner, hr-hero-late-20s, hr-hero-nobility, hr-hero-rake-rogue, hr-hero-scandal, hr-heroine-bookish-smart, hr-heroine-good-girl, hr-heroine-medicine-science, hr-heroine-mid-to-late-20s, hr-heroine-nobility-aristocrat-lady, hr-heroine-plain-jane, hr-heroine-recluse-loner, hr-heroine-shy-quiet-wallflower, hr-heroine-unusual-odd, hr-mistaken-identity-impersonation, hr-opposites-enemies-attract, hr-on-the-run-together, hr-secret-love, hr-sizzling-chemistry, hr-friends-to-lovers, hr-hero-arrogant-autocratic, hr-hero-military-spy-assassin, best-romance-heroes-ever, best-romance-heroines-ever, challenge-2011-wllk-august-all-a, challenge-2011-2012-rrrc-drinks-1, challenge-2011-2012-nbrc-women-type, 4-stars

I think my constant status updates say it all, but I really enjoyed this book. There were some absolutely adorable and sweet moments between the hero and heroine, as well as some extremely funny ones. Kinsale is a talented writer and she really excels at character creation; both Callie and Trev seemed like people you know or could know in your everyday life. They're complex, yet completely accessible and believable.

{ What I Loved }
* The hero - Trev is a delicious hero and I thought he was really...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Hallie rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was confusing to my brain. If you've ever read any other books by Laura Kinsale, and you've read Georgette Heyer - can you imagine Laura Kinsale trying to out-Heyer Heyer - with sex? Maybe nobody else would describe the book that way, but it's the only thing I could come up with. You had the bad boy hero, who was sent away after transgressing (and y'know, it's hard to blame Callie's father *too* much for being very, very angry at Trevelyan, given how he caught them), came back rich and...more

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Nov 02, 2012 D.W. Nichols rated it 5 of 5 stars

Absolutamente divertida, con el toque justo de dramatismo; unos personajes perfectamente desarrollados, imperfectos, vulnerables y deliciosos.

Te enamoras de Trev en el primer instante que aparece en escena y, a pesar de los errores que comete, la sensación de profundo cariño no desaparece. Es un pícaro, un niño travieso que disfruta con sus trastadas, un corazón indómito y rebelde que, a pesar de la dura vida que se ha visto obligado a llevar, no deja de sentir una profunda alegría por la vida,...more

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Dec 28, 2011 Meg rated it 4 of 5 stars

I discovered Laura Kinsale earlier this year after buying a kindle - and what a discovery! She combines the best elements of historical romance - utterly convincing world-building; gripping emotion; and multifaceted characters which you care about from page one. Her writing is subtle, beautiful and emotive - and incredibly versatile.

Having already read Seize the Fire, the Shadow and the Star and Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale I was prepared to expect a problematic hero with a dark soul...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Sandy M rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

When I heard Ms. Kinsale had another release coming out, I’m sure I was just excited as the rest of her fans. I’ve read only a few of her previous works, with Flowers from the Storm being my favorite. It’s an all-time favorite for me, in fact. I’m wondering if that’s why I’m just a tad disappointed in this book. Now, that’s not to say that LiF is not a good book. It’s just not what I expected, perhaps.

And maybe that’s not fair of me. After I finished this story, I read somewhere that Ms. Kinsale...more When I heard Ms. Kinsale had another release coming out, I’m sure I was just excited as the rest of her fans. I’ve read only a few of her previous works, with Flowers from the Storm being my favorite. It’s an all-time favorite for me, in fact. I’m wondering if that’s why I’m just a tad disappointed in this book. Now, that’s not to say that LiF is not a good book. It’s just not what I expected, perhaps.

And maybe that’s not fair of me. After I finished this story, I read somewhere that Ms. Kinsale wanted to write another light-hearted book. Maybe that’s what I needed to know before I started reading this one. I didn’t expect that aspect of it. which kind of threw me for a bit, though I did get used to it as the story went on.

But another thing that nearly didn’t work for me is Trev, the hero. He’s such a dichotomy I’m not sure which way to go with him. One minute I like him just fine, the next I’m irritated with him, the next I don’t like him much. And our heroine, Callista, is sometimes in the same boat. But she had the good fortune of loving him since she was a little girl. I’m not so lucky.

Trev has finally gotten word his mother is gravely ill, so he’s come home at last. He’s the one Callie has always loved and he’s a sight for sore eyes after the stigma of her three broken betrothals. The attraction is still there, though Trev left her years before after her father caught them in a very compromising position. Trev is haughty and arrogant to a fault. For me, a little too much so, considering his background during the years he’s been gone. It’s not sterling. And he admits it, is a little ashamed of it. But it is what it is, according to him. Dichotomy No. 1.

He also brings good news when he returns home. He’s been able to purchase the estate and properties lost to his family years before and bring good recognition to his family name once again, something that puts his mother’s mind at ease. But his reassurances aren’t all they’re supposed to be. He talks a good game a majority of the time and everyone, even the reader, believes him wholeheartedly. Dichotomy No. 2.

Another example, Trev has a temper. At first with everyone but Callie. With her, he’s gentle, calm, and loving. However, at one point he’s jealous and angry and starts in motion circumstances that endanger a lot of people, including Callie. When she learns it’s all his doing, he is repentant, of course. He’d never hurt her. But he also doesn’t think when anger gets the best of him. Dichotomy No. 3.

Callie is as independent as can be for a young woman of her time. She’s witty and doesn’t take much bull from anyone, thanks to her previous near-marital mishaps. Of course, the one person who trips her up every time is Trev. But she eventually conquers her anxiety when around him and their relationship grows, despite knowing they can never have more than a friendship.

Things get a little silly when it comes to Callie’s prize bull, but since it’s all for the lightheartedness of the story, in the end it works out. Trev does anything and everything for Callie and comes clean when needed, and he was still growing on me at the end of the book. He’s not one of those heroes who takes an early lead in a read and never looks back. But when he does all the right things at the right time, you know you’re headed at least in the right direction with him.

This is a fairly solid read, even though it’s not quite what I expected.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

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Sep 16, 2010 Jo (My House of Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'll admit it, the jodhpurs made me read this book. It's shallow, I know, but when I saw the cover on Twitter, I knew I had to read it. Regardless of the buzz or the recommendations and agreements that yes, this is a good book.

It was the jodhpurs.

I've never read Ms. Kinsale's work previously, had never heard of her, in fact, until the cover started making its rounds. Now, I'm glad I took a chance.

Lessons in French is artfully crafted and meticulously researched, that much is obvious. A heroine w...more

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Jul 25, 2010 Amber Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reviewed for The Season: http://historicalromancereleases.com/...

I am a newcomer to Laura Kinsale’s work, and Lessons in French was the perfect introduction. From the first chapter, her delightful voice and heartening tone leap straight off the page. This story is crafted with just the right balance of tenderness and sensuality and it didn’t take long to sense that Kinsale is indeed a master at her craft. First, because this is a time period we see often in historical romance, but it felt the op...more Reviewed for The Season: http://historicalromancereleases.com/...

I am a newcomer to Laura Kinsale’s work, and Lessons in French was the perfect introduction. From the first chapter, her delightful voice and heartening tone leap straight off the page. This story is crafted with just the right balance of tenderness and sensuality and it didn’t take long to sense that Kinsale is indeed a master at her craft. First, because this is a time period we see often in historical romance, but it felt the opposite of contrived. The setting, choice of character and conflict struck me as fresh, revitalized. Second, the gradual romantic build-up many authors of the genre have left behind is also given new life with Lady Callie Taillefaire and Trevelyn, Duc de Monceaux.

Callie is instantly likeable—a self-proclaimed wallflower but no less spirited or a capable farm girl of wealth and rank with a tendency to daydream reminiscent of Austen’s Catherine Morland. Because she is so clever, Callie’s streak of naïveté at times seems forced, especially in regard to her assumption that Trev’s feelings for her are fabricated. This small objection to this story’s protagonist in no way dims Callie’s identifiable nature. Trev is a sometimes unsteady mix of gentleman with a penchant for devilry, a hybrid I very much enjoyed. Raised an Englishman with staunch French heritage, he is a man caught between two worlds and feels society’s consequences despite his high rank. His relationship with his French mother is one of the most touching of the story. Even while his past “sins” are still vague to the reader, he is redeemable though his long-standing desire to be with Callie is crushed by his history. In the end, he is the most noble and charismatic hero I’ve read in some time.

Lessons in French is sure to entertain historical readers with a dash of intrigue, layered with elements of masquerade and humor. The love story is lighthearted one moment and heart-wrenching the next. The secondary characters, whether it be the cook or Callie’s prized bull, Hubert, are adorable. My only qualm with the writing is the occasional tendency to tell instead of show. The villages and residences of Shelford and Hereford are woven with serene but no less down-to-earth grace. Where historicals often seem fanciful and faraway, this book feels authentic. It’s difficult to define why, other than the fact that it is written with so deft and loving a hand. Kinsale fans everywhere will be enchanted and newcomers like me will be eager for more.(less)

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Jul 15, 2010 Jessi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

Summary: "She is, after all, Lady Callista Taillefaire, jilted three times in spite of her fortune and her father's best efforts to find her a husband. Now her greatest desire is to win the silver cup at the agricultural fair with her gigantic prize bull, Hubert. But when Callie's only old flame returns from his long and mysterious absence in France, her quiet spinster life turns upside down. Dark-eyed, elegant and a magnet for trouble, Trevelyan d'Augustin has given Callie lessons in more than...more

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Mar 05, 2010 Gaby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit, historical-romance

Lessons In French is a fun, historical romance set in England soon after the French Revolution. Trevelyn is French nobility with blood ties to the French royal family. Unfortunately, his background hasn't made his life any easier. Instead, the family fortune and ties have meant a heavy burden for Trevelyn as he's tried to reacquire the family estates and Dukedom with his limited resources. After their escape from France, his family settled in the English countryside with limited resources. When...more

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Feb 07, 2010 Booklover1335 rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes a well written historical romance

Shelves: 2010

I adored this love story. It was enchanting and completely charming! Lessons in French is not an overly dramatic or emotional love story, but it does have humor and LOTS of heart. It's like a good romantic comedy...sometimes it makes you laugh, sometimes it makes you tear up, but at it's core it's all about the love story between the hero and his heroine. It was exactly what I had been craving and didn't even know it.

Callie sees herself as the plain, thrice jilted spinster heiress destined to ra...more I adored this love story. It was enchanting and completely charming! Lessons in French is not an overly dramatic or emotional love story, but it does have humor and LOTS of heart. It's like a good romantic comedy...sometimes it makes you laugh, sometimes it makes you tear up, but at it's core it's all about the love story between the hero and his heroine. It was exactly what I had been craving and didn't even know it.

Callie sees herself as the plain, thrice jilted spinster heiress destined to raise her cattle, dependent to live on the generosity of her family, and having to settle for being a doting aunt instead of a mother to her own children. She is a daydreamer, who believes she is no longer meant to experience love, but instead has settled into a life of routine and daily existence. Finding small pleasures in small things so as not to be disappointed in the life she leads.

Trev is a dashing French Duc, though impoverished and just barely pardoned from hanging due to a crime he didn't commit. Not that he is innocent, mind you. He's done what he had to to survive in the cold hard world following the French Revolution and Napoleon's War. He's handsome, charming, witty, and cunning with more than his share of the Devil's luck.

When Trev returns each remembers why they fell in love when they were both so young. Trev brings excitement, misadventures, and desire to her life. She loves that he can make her smile, and feel alive. Trev uses his self deprecating humor, and anything else he can think of to make Callie smile. He loves it when she smiles; it brings radiance to her unique beauty. Each feels that they are not worthy of the other. Callie believes she is too plain, and not sophisticated enough to be his Duchess. Trev doesn't want to taint her goodness with his life of lies and deception. He's penniless and she's a great heiress. Neither can resist their attraction despite their altruistic intentions.

Trev and Callie's love story doesn't come easy, and while I knew they would eventually get their HEA, I didn't quite know how the author was going to overcome all of the obstacles she gave them to triumph over. There were tender moments, sad moments, and many funny moments that made me smile and sometimes laugh out loud: it was a journey well worth taking.

I loved both Callie and Trev, they were such great characters...really ALL of the characters in this story were well written. Some may discount it as not as compelling a love story because their tale wasn't angst ridden, and had bouts of humor...therefore making it a lesser book, but I have to disagree. It actually reminded me what I liked about a few of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton novels and The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever. Not to say that all of these books are alike, but they gave me the same kind of sighworthy happiness while reading them.

This was the first book I've read by Laura Kinsale, and most definitely won't be my last. In fact I've already bought one of the books from her backlist, and hope to be able to read it soon. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. When reading "the end" I found myself with a small self-satisfied smile...and I can't always claim that.

Ratings: 4.75 stars....while it does have a few love scenes this book is more of a tender romance(less)

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Jan 26, 2010 Terra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale is an adorable Regency story that is sure to tickle your fancy. A story of the magic of love being time tested and still able to stand up to the task. A story of the English breed lady and the French scoundrel that will show there are indeed no bounds where true love is concerned.

Lady Callie is not a stunning beauty especially in a plain dress and muck boots that she wears to take care of her cattle. She is however a gem of the highest quality on the inside. Sh...more

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Oct 20, 2010 Kaetrin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paper-book

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5 stars Why I read it:
It's by Laura Kinsale. 'nuff said.

What it's about:

"...Lady Callista Taillefaire [has been] jilted three times in spite of her fortune and her father’s best efforts to find her a husband. Now her greatest desire is to win the silver cup at the agricultural fair with her gigantic prize bull, Hubert. But when Callie’s only old flame returns from his long and mysterious absence in France, her quiet spinster life turns upside down. Dark-eyed, elegant and a magnet for troubl...more

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Feb 07, 2010 Amanda Westmont rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

I definitely enjoyed this book, but it didn't grip me like much of Laura Kinsale's past work has. It was a bit fluffy. In her own note to the reader at the end of the book, she mentioned that this was intentionally light "hedgehog humor," which it certainly was. She further admitted that she finds "writing 'light' to be even more demanding than writing 'dark,'" and unfortunately that was exactly why this book didn't measure up to her other work. It felt forced, as if Kinsale was trying to write...more

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Jun 19, 2010 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay. I can't quite make up my mind on this. It was a good regency romance, quite above the average. The heroine was great, and the dialogue witty. Better than many that are out there.
HOWEVER ~ I was so unduly fascinated by Trevelyan's history, and we hardly got anything more than a general talk-trough to the purpose that we'd know why he thinks he can't marry the heroine. I just kept thinking that Jo Beverley would have made the story at least half about Trev's fascinating background, and that'...more

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Jan 28, 2010 Leslie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

She's back. And what a lovely way to come back. In Lessons in French Laura Kinsale has written a beautiful love story about friendship and loss, loyalty and love. She's made the heiress wallflower a charming character and the dashing Frenchman endearing in spite of his misadventures. Callie and Trev were each other's first love, then circumstances tore them apart. Now Trev is back, whether for good or not remains to be seen.

There's something about stories of first love that we romance readers ca...more She's back. And what a lovely way to come back. In Lessons in French Laura Kinsale has written a beautiful love story about friendship and loss, loyalty and love. She's made the heiress wallflower a charming character and the dashing Frenchman endearing in spite of his misadventures. Callie and Trev were each other's first love, then circumstances tore them apart. Now Trev is back, whether for good or not remains to be seen.

There's something about stories of first love that we romance readers can't help but be drawn to. Add to that a second chance at love and we just have to find out what happens. Will they finally get their HEA (Happily Ever After)? For Callie and Trev the road to HEA is filled with one detour after another. It's an adventure of laughter, love, friendship, narrow escapes, hiding from the law and waking up in the arms of your true love.

It's been nine years since Trev left. In those nine years Callie has had three fiancés along with three broken engagements. She is now twenty-seven and unsure of her future. She has recently come out of mourning for her father, the late Earl of Shelford. With her cousin Jasper now the earl and his wife Dolly wishing for both Callie and her younger sister Hermione gone from Shelford Hall, Callie no longer feels welcomed in her own home. It looks as though Callie's hope lies in her sister marrying someone willing to allow Callie to live with them. Not exactly the brightest of futures. Then Trev comes back and her world is turned upside down as she is once again caught up in his adventures.

Callie is a wonderful heroine. She's practical but has this fantastic whimsical side where she daydreams of romantic and humorous scenes of her life as she would imagine it. A fairy tale of sorts with her in control of the outcome. She also has wonderful sense of humor that she shares with Trev. Their banter and joking with each other goes back to their early years together. Another side to Callie is her love of animals, specifically Hubert her large but docile bull. Callie shows that she isn't afraid of hard work and getting her hands dirty when taking care of Hubert. Then something happens to Hubert and Callie is trying so desperately to hold on to her composure, to keep the tears at bay. It's one of those moments it's obvious why Trev loves this wallflower so.

Trev was an amusing, devil-may-care hero. He returns because of his love and concern for his mother. He doesn't expect to find Callie unmarried and still there. He has no plans to stay long but with Trev, plans tend to change and as he and Callie renew their friendship he finds himself pulled towards this woman who he thinks is out of reach. Trev seemed to enjoy becoming involved in plots of intrigue and adventure. When he wasn't engaged in daring plans he was caring for his mother and trying to be a friend to Callie. His love for both of these women came through, making him both vulnerable while still giving him that air of danger. Trev is far from perfect. He makes mistakes and acts rashly with some less than stellar outcomes. But even when he is engaging in some reckless behavior, his love of life and of Callie makes him hard to resist. There were moments when I couldn't help but laugh as I thought, "Oh, what has he done now?"

Kinsale's quick wit and way with words comes through in the dialogue and descriptions of the village, the people and the emotions that make this a fun, boisterous story. Any problems I had with the plot or storytelling were minor. The ending wrapped up a little too neatly with problems that had seemed insurmountable, swiftly taken care of. Then there was Trev's French mother, who I enjoyed but it became a bit annoying when she would get the English word wrong when using phrases and clichés. It was cute the first few times, after that, not so much.

Lessons in French could certainly be called lighter fare than what Kinsale is more widely known for. I would call it an enjoyable love story full of laughter and adventure.(less)

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Jan 25, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lady Callista Taillefaire is described as “a gifted wallflower”, who at the age of twenty-seven is a spinster who blends very well into the wallpaper that people don’t even notice she’s there. Callista knows she doesn’t have much to recommend to herself because she is plain with red hair, very stiff and shy with gentlemen and has such fair skin, that when the wind blows, she becomes splotchy. She’s been jilted three times by men she was engaged to, but for some reason or another, gave an excuse...more Lady Callista Taillefaire is described as “a gifted wallflower”, who at the age of twenty-seven is a spinster who blends very well into the wallpaper that people don’t even notice she’s there. Callista knows she doesn’t have much to recommend to herself because she is plain with red hair, very stiff and shy with gentlemen and has such fair skin, that when the wind blows, she becomes splotchy. She’s been jilted three times by men she was engaged to, but for some reason or another, gave an excuse and decided not to marry her. Callista has a fortune, left to her after her father’s death, and enjoys her small town life, waiting for her younger sister, Hermione to marry so she can move way with her and her husband because they live with their cousin and his wife, Dolly, who is a very shrewish woman with her nose in the air. Other than being at odds with these relatives, Callista loves to raise livestock, including her favorite bull, Hubert, who she treats more like a pet than a farm animal.

Callista’s staid life is about to become topsy turvy, when her very sick French neighbor, Madame de Monceaux’s son, Trevelyn d Augustin returns home from France to England after being away for almost a decade. Callista and Trev used to be teenage sweethearts. She was given French lessons from the Madame. Trev taught Callista very different lessons in French that is until her father caught them intimately together in a carriage. Callista was heartbroken because Trev left England without a word. He arrives unannounced during a ball and re-acquaints himself with Callista. She’s shocked to see him, as he is her, because he assumed she would be married with children.

Trev went to France to search for his family property that was lost during The Terror, as well as fighting at Waterloo. He has returned home to Shelford to see his mother and hide from the law. He’s gotten himself into a big scrape and thrown into prison. He had no idea how close his dear mother is to death and the horrible conditions she’s been living in. He turns to Callista for help. Trev wants to be friends with Callista again because he has missed her all this time. He hopes to find a way to exonerate his name before he’s exiled to either the Americas or Shanghai.

Then a series of incredible events occur, starting with Hubert being sold from Callista, Trev trying to buy her beloved bull back and a former suitor of Callista’s, a Major Sturgeon, comes back into the picture and wants to rekindle their relationship. To make matters worse for Trev, Sturgeon and he had a past together. If Sturgeon recognizes Trev, the jig is up and he’ll be hauled away in irons. Callista is torn between Trev and Sturgeon because on one hand, Sturgeon can give her the stability she has always wanted, but on the other, she cares deeply for Trev even though she thinks he only views her as a friend. Trev tries to show Callista that what he feels for her is more than friendship, but because she thinks she has nothing to offer except her fortune, and because Trev is dashing and has been on many adventures, he would never want to settle down with a boring nobody like her. If only Callista knew the truth about Trev and what’s he been hiding from her. When she finds out, it maybe too late for them because not only does she have to figure out a way to get Hubert back, but juggles two men who want her for their own reasons.

Lessons in French is a delightful romance that pulls you in, where you are surrounded by the sites and sounds of rustic England after the Napoleonic Wars. I would say this is part adventure, part comedy as Callista and Trev team up together. This duo has a way of falling into some major pitfalls that is comparable to a screwball comedy, but just subtle enough where you won’t roll your eyes.

Callista is a wonderful heroine who has wit and intelligence, even though she maybe lacking in looks and overall sparkling personality. She’s a very analytical woman. Her reasons for letting Sturgeon court her may turn off some readers, but she has her reasons for doing so. At first glance, Trev may seem to be as cold as Callista’s former suitors, but as the story unfolds, we find out why Trev acted the way he did. You can’t help but root for him because the way he feels about Callista is so beautiful and moving.

I must hand it to Laura because she really makes Trev shine. There’s a bit of a mystery regarding Trev, and it’s up in the air whether or not he has waited for Callista, so he can engage in those intimacies most men his age already have. Trev may seem experienced, but has an innocent quality to him. At one point, while Trev is spilling his deep feelings to Callista, you’re made aware that Trev has never fallen for another woman in the time he’s been away. Nothing is more romantic that the hero saying to his heroine- “I seem to be yours, body and soul.”

Laura Kinsale has written a lighthearted, romantic Regency romp. Lessons in French is like a breath of fresh air, that twenty pages into reading, I stopped and thought, this is the reason I read historical romance.(less)

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Feb 15, 2010 Christy B (Readin' and Dreamin') rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-romance

A great return for Laura Kinsale. I scarfed down this book in only a few days!

Here we find Lady Callista Taillefaire, who has been jilted not once, not twice, but three times! Even with her tremendous fortune, she can not keep a fiance. She comes to the conclusion that she will forever be a spinster and devotes all her time to her prized bull Hubert. However, her world is turned completely on its side when her first love (not one of the jilters, mind you) returns after he left years before.

Treve...more

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Feb 15, 2010 Miki rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was so excited to discover that Laura Kinsale had at last written another book! Most of her earlier books are among my favorites and I frequently recommend them to others. But, alas! what a disappointment. Lessons in French is a pale shadow of this author's earlier books. This one, while supposedly a return to her "lighter" style of writing, never quite made it. The hero remains faceless and you never get to know him. The heroine is insipid. There were too many coincidences that "just happened...more

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Jan 26, 2010 Debbie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really give this 3.5 stars.
This was my first time reading a Kinsale book and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I really enjoyed Lady Callista's character and you had to admire her pretty upbeat attitude despite being jilted 3 times. Trevelyan was also an intriguing character as there are hints through out the book that his background wasn't quite as he stated so you are kept wondering until near the end. If you like some humor thrown in with your romance then this is a great book to check ou...more

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Apr 02, 2010 Jacqui rated it 2 of 5 stars

A new book by Laura Kinsale. Of couse I wanted to like this, I wanted to devour it like I have just about all of her other books, richly textured as they are. But unfortunately, I didn't. I was really disappointed in this book. Maybe because its written by Laura Kinsale, I judged it more harshly that I would have any other romance novel. The story initially seems interesting enough. Lady Callista is in her late twenties and has been jilted by three men. In addition to this, she had a childhood r...more

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Jan 24, 2010 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

This is one of Kinsale's light-hearted romps. Lots of witty conversation, a bit of slapstick (the bull in the kitchen scene, for example), but never over the top. And this being Kinsale, there's a lot of emotion. Our heroine is a thrice-jilted heiress and our hero is the boy next door, who just happens to be a French Duc. She has major issues with self-confidence: she is not particularly pretty and is painfully shy and spends a great deal of her time day-dreaming of adventure. He has not led a p...more

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May 18, 2010 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, romance-historical

Lessons in French is the first book by Laura Kinsale that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will look to read more from her. Although, at the end of the book, she wrote a note saying this is "light" compared to her usual "dark" writing. I'm intrigued by her "dark" writing and plan on looking up other books that are not so light.

I found myself laughing and smiling a lot through this book. It made me think a bit of Jane Austen's Emma (the movie since I have yet to read the book). Tr...more

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Mar 26, 2010 BarkLessWagMore rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

My March local reading group selection. I haven’t read a Laura Kinsale novel in years. She hasn’t written one in years either. Her book Flowers from the Storm was one of my favorite reads back before I overdosed on long, angsty, historical romance novels. I’ve taken a very long break from historical romance but I think I’m ready to slowly delve back in with this here book.

Lady Callista Taillefaire (Callie) is cute and has a tremendous fortune but because she is painfully shy she’s been left at t...more My March local reading group selection. I haven’t read a Laura Kinsale novel in years. She hasn’t written one in years either. Her book Flowers from the Storm was one of my favorite reads back before I overdosed on long, angsty, historical romance novels. I’ve taken a very long break from historical romance but I think I’m ready to slowly delve back in with this here book.

Lady Callista Taillefaire (Callie) is cute and has a tremendous fortune but because she is painfully shy she’s been left at the altar three times. She has always had a problem making chit chat with men and now at 27 she has given up on marriage and is content to remain a wallflower, move in with her younger sister and continue her quiet life contentedly breeding her prized bulls. As she’s doing her best to disappear into the woodwork at a society event in walks her childhood friend/crush Trevelyan Davis D’Augustin (I’m calling him Trev from here on out) who she hasn’t seen since they were young teens and her father scared him away. He’s been off in Paris attempting to secure the family dynasty (or at least that’s what he wants people to believe) and has grown up to be quite the hunk. When she sees him she tries even harder to disappear but it doesn’t work. He spots her and immediately heads straight her way and sets her heart all a-flutter with his charm. She is surprised that she can still talk to him without struggling to find the right words now that he’s all grown up. He’s come home to nurse his mom who is dying and Callie offers up her assistance once she learns about the dire situation.

When they were teens Callie took French lessons with Trev’s mom. Callie and Trev were on their way to becoming way more than friends when her dad put an end to it. No daughter of his was going to be soiled by the likes of Trev. Now that he’s back all wealthy and sexy Trev appears to want to pick things up right where he left off so many years ago. Will she be able to resist? Seriously, did I just ask that question?

Anyway, this book is pretty charming so far as I’ve read. It’s fluffy and light with likable characters and witty dialogue and it is not annoying or boring me. I’m actually disappointed whenever I have to put the book down to get back to reality. In the beginning it’s a somewhat slow moving book focusing in on its characters instead of a rip-roaring adventure or crazy-ass subplots (though we get a few of those later on). It may not be for everyone but it’s working for me. I can see that even though Trev has a shady past that is following him and that he is probably going to keep secrets for far, far too long, he really is a big softie when it comes to making Callie happy. And Callie deserves happiness. She’s a likable heroine, with a sly sense of humor who enjoys nothing more than working on the farm and caring for her bulls. Actually, her love for one of her bulls nearly brought me to tears a time or two. Trev’s arrival changes everything up and Callie soon realizes just how much she missed having her adventurous trouble-prone hunky best friend around.

I was sorry to see this book come to an end and I don’t say that kind of thing often being the crab that I am. Trev and Callie were fabulous together; two truly likable characters that were meant to be together despite all of the obstacles and everything the ton had to say. There were moments when they mistrusted each others true feelings and where they withheld things that should have been said. Trev was also hot-heated and impulsive but these things didn’t annoy me as they usually do because you get to know them both so well that their faults, doubts and insecurities are understandable and forgivable. If I didn’t have such a huge and forever growing tbr pile this book would definitely be reread often. I may even dig out another historical romance from the pile soon.
(less)

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Mar 17, 2010 Kat at Book Thingo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-historical, want-to-own, return-other

Laura Kinsale’s long-awaited new release is a bit of a romp and a laugh—the Kinsale book for readers who don’t like Kinsale.

That said, Lessons in French isn’t my favourite Kinsale.

I don’t necessarily have a problem with the lighter tone of this novel. I think Kinsale’s craft comes through very clearly and even when the plot is at its most absurd Kinsale has a way of making the words on the page mean something. This is what I love most about her writing. It’s not lost in Lessons in French, and th...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

Lessons in French is basically the regency version of "high school sweethearts reunite after many years." It's a really well done variation, sweet and fun and funny. Callie and Trev are flawed and likeable characters, and the relationship between them is wonderful. This isn't a relationship that relies on straight lust; they're friends first, and always have been. They connect on a number of different levels, and the romance between them feels like a natural extension of the solid friendship the...more Lessons in French is basically the regency version of "high school sweethearts reunite after many years." It's a really well done variation, sweet and fun and funny. Callie and Trev are flawed and likeable characters, and the relationship between them is wonderful. This isn't a relationship that relies on straight lust; they're friends first, and always have been. They connect on a number of different levels, and the romance between them feels like a natural extension of the solid friendship they've already built. I can't tell you how much I love when a love story has the couple start as friends and drift into romantic territory from there, ~~perhaps because that's how the husband and I did it~~ for no obvious reason at all. The thing is, friends to lovers isn't always easy to depict, since the author has to establish a history between the characters without making them feel like siblings. Kinsale makes it sing, though, and the relationship between Callie and Trev feels natural and effortless, the sort of timeless friendship where they can spend ten years apart and comfortably pick up where they left off.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Hubert the bull, who serves as both a character and a plot device. Callie breeds and shows bulls, a quirky pastime for a lady, but she came to it through her father, and she loves her animals. I'm led to believe there's an animal mascot for each of Kinsale's books, but in this one it wasn't just the bull. Animal husbandry in general played a significant aspect, and a really fun one. This wasn't merely a young lady with an unusual pet; Callie worked hard on those animals and was well known in the animal community. I loved that she had her own hobbies and interests outside of the hero, and since Trev knew virtually nothing about bulls, this was very much her own thing.

There was an interesting subplot about Callie's suitors and the reasons they broke off their engagements, but the payoff on that one didn't live up to the buildup. While it didn't seem out of character for the guilty party to have organized something like that, it did seem rather impractical, making wild assumptions about several parties.

But that's one small misstep in an otherwise charming and funny novel. Kinsale put an afterword in the book that says she wanted this to be something light and happy, a story to make you smile. Mission accomplished.(less)

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Jan 22, 2010 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

Laura Kinsale's Lessons in French is a wonderfully funny historical romance. I have read historical romance of many eras by many authors, and this is one of the few where I laughed out loud frequently. At the age of twenty-seven, Lady Callista Taillefaire has perfected the life of a country spinster, having been jilted by three fiances! Living in her childhood home, Sheldon Hall, under the patronage of her cousins, the new Lord and Lady Shelford, Callie spends her days breeding cattle, and often...more Laura Kinsale's Lessons in French is a wonderfully funny historical romance. I have read historical romance of many eras by many authors, and this is one of the few where I laughed out loud frequently. At the age of twenty-seven, Lady Callista Taillefaire has perfected the life of a country spinster, having been jilted by three fiances! Living in her childhood home, Sheldon Hall, under the patronage of her cousins, the new Lord and Lady Shelford, Callie spends her days breeding cattle, and often assisting Lord Shelford with the running of the estate. Her placid existence goes topsy-turvey when her childhood neighbor and love, Trevelyan d'Augustin, returns after nine years rebuilding his family's fortunes in France. Close with Trev's mother, the ailing Madame de Monceau, there are many occasions for Callie to encounter Trev as she helps care for Madame. Thwarting the re-kindling of Trev and Callie's flame is Major Sturgeon, a former fiance who has also recently arrived to press his own suit.
It soon becomes clear that all is not what it seems regarding the origin Trevelyan's new fortune, as he hires large muscular men with thick street accents to serve in and around his mother's home. In truth, Trev has spent the past several years as a soldier in Napoleon's army, and then a boxing promoter and bookie on his return to England. His past begins to catch up as hijinks snare Callie into working a scheme with him at the annual county fair, much as they had played out shenanigans as children. Costumes for each of her two identities, painted cows, and stampeding chickens and pigs all work together to return Hubert, Callie's beloved champion bull, but cause Trev to be more on the run than ever. Of course Trev and Callie are eventually united, but it takes high government officials, a blackmailer and a forger to bring it all together.
Lessons in French has everything a reader is looking for in historical romance. Interesting information about an era in history, specifically country village life and boxing in the early 1800s, as well as the Napoleonic Wars, which happen during the years Trev is away from Shelford. The friendship and respect Trev and Callie have for each other spreads into some very romantic scenes, and there are the usual gossipy village women, gregarious tavern-keepers, and snippy ladies who think themselves of high society.
In her Author's Note, Laura Kinsale mentions the difficulty of writing a comedic historical romance, so I can see why we don't come across them too often.(less)

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Jun 24, 2010 Lexie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-romance-historical, review-romance-reader-at-heart

The book's title, LESSONS IN FRENCH, is a clever trick on the author's part. Technically speaking, yes, Callie is learning French from Trev, but probably not in the way her father intended. Despite darker undertones, the book is playful and amusing. The banter between Callie and Trev—even with all the bad memories and hurt feelings—is easy and witty. If sometimes Trev is a trifle more flirty than he is serious, no matter, really, because that is just his way.

(for the full review please refer to...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Nicole Santos rated it 1 of 5 stars

=10+20+5-10

Callista Taillefaire
loves bulls, assumer cuz she freakign assumed he had a wife!, jilted 3x

Trevelyan Davis D'Augustin
sick mother, confessor, thief, had self control, cuz didn't freaking jump on her, French influences

Story
(I laughed out loud when I read my writing) NO SEX?!?!

Everything sounded like a freaking dialogue friendship love story. I did not feel excitement...It was annoying no freaking climax, rise, fall.

Fav things to mention:
pg 385
"Of course." He nodded. "Friends. And now I'...more

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About Laura Kinsale

Laura Kinsale is a New York Times bestselling author and both winner and multiple nominee for the Best Book of the Year award given by the Romance Writers of America.

She become a romance writer after six years as a geologist--a career which consisted of getting out of bed in the middle of the night and driving hundreds of miles alone across west Texas to sit drilling rigs, wear a hard hat, and at...more

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Books by Laura Kinsale

The Shadow and the Star (Victorian Hearts, #2)

For My Lady's Heart (Medieval Hearts, #1)

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Quotes from Lessons in French

“My God." He pushed away from the bedpost. "Friends! And do you fall into bed with any man who's 'dear' to you? How am I to take that?"

"Of course I don't." She stood up, letting the knotted scarf slip away. "I can't seem to help myself. With you. About that. It's extremely vexing."

"You're quite right on that count," he said sullenly. "I'm damned vexed. I'd like to vex you right here on the floor, in fact. And the idea of Sturgeon vexing you is enough to dispose me to murder. Is that clear? Do you comprehend me?" He took a reckless stride toward her and caught her chin between his fingers. "I'm not your friend, my lady. I'm
your lover.” — 5 people liked it

“It was quite settled by now. She was born to be a spinster.” — 1 person liked it

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