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Just One Season in London
A family that courts together...
Viscount Ryecroft has a beautiful sister he needs to marry off... if only he had the money for her Season in London.
His family is in financial ruins, and his mother is willing to do anything to help her children, including sell herself to the highest bidder...
Finds passion on their own...
Sophie Ryecroft will sacrifice love to marry for the good of her family... but instead finds passion and solace in an attractive alternative.
With so much riding on their one and only Season in London, Rye, Sophie, and Miranda can't help but get hopelessly entangled with all the wrong people...
Celebrated author Leigh Michaels effortlessly weaves three tales of unexpected romance with surprising twists you won't soon forget.
380 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
10 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Michaels
351 books172 followersLeigh Michaels is the pseudonym used by LeAnn Lemberger (b. July 27 in Iowa, United States), a popular United States writer of over 85 romance novels. She has published with Harlequin, Sourcebooks, Montlake Romance, Writers Digest Books, and Arcadia Publishing. She teaches romance writing at Gotham Writers' Workshop (www.writingclasses.com) She is the author of On Writing Romance.
When Leigh was fifteen she wrote her first romance novel and burned it. She burned five more complete manuscripts before submitting to a publisher. The first submission was accepted by Harlequin, the only publisher to look at it, and was published in 1984.
Michaels was born in Iowa, United States. She received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, after three years of study and maintained a 3.93 grade-point average. She received the Robert Bliss Award as top-ranking senior in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and won a national William Randolph Hearst Award for feature-writing as an undergraduate.
She is married to Michael W. Lemberger, an artist-photographer.
When Leigh was fifteen she wrote her first romance novel and burned it. She burned five more complete manuscripts before submitting to a publisher. The first submission was accepted by Harlequin, the only publisher to look at it, and was published in 1984.
Michaels was born in Iowa, United States. She received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, after three years of study and maintained a 3.93 grade-point average. She received the Robert Bliss Award as top-ranking senior in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and won a national William Randolph Hearst Award for feature-writing as an undergraduate.
She is married to Michael W. Lemberger, an artist-photographer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 8, 2021
Yorum bile yapmak istemiyorum. Normalde bir verecektim ama diğer çiftler adına 2 veriyorum. Buradan da okuma zevkimi iç eden kızkardeş Sophieye teşekkürlerimi sunuyorum. Sahnelerini okurken kitabı parçalamak istedim. Annesinden hoşlandığını düşündüğü, yer yer baba gibi gördüğü bir adamı sevmek... Yorumsuzum...
July 12, 2011
3.5 Stars
I really appreciate the author trying a different format for this book, but at the same time, I really missed my warm and cozy, familiar historical romance format!
Instead of introducing a hero and heroine with alternating points of view, and maybe a supporting romantic couple, this book had three leads and three love interests. This was too many romances for me to keep up with. I couldn't really get invested in any of them. I really liked the author's previous book with three separate but interconnected short stories, and I think I would have liked this one more if it had been in that format.
Miranda and Marcus' story was the most interesting to me. They already had a history together to build on. I would have loved to have seen their story grow more because there was a lot to work with there. I think Sophie's romance could have been the best of the three, but the least amount of time was devoted to her love story. Poor Rye was a great character, but his romance was so predictable.
There are lots of balls and operas with many misunderstandings and rumors. Fans of this type of Regency are sure to love this book. If you are more interested in the "he said, she said" of the Regency social circle and won't mind if the romances aren't fully fleshed out, you will most likely enjoy this book.
Overall, heavy on the Regency social scene, lite on the actual romances.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
I really appreciate the author trying a different format for this book, but at the same time, I really missed my warm and cozy, familiar historical romance format!
Instead of introducing a hero and heroine with alternating points of view, and maybe a supporting romantic couple, this book had three leads and three love interests. This was too many romances for me to keep up with. I couldn't really get invested in any of them. I really liked the author's previous book with three separate but interconnected short stories, and I think I would have liked this one more if it had been in that format.
Miranda and Marcus' story was the most interesting to me. They already had a history together to build on. I would have loved to have seen their story grow more because there was a lot to work with there. I think Sophie's romance could have been the best of the three, but the least amount of time was devoted to her love story. Poor Rye was a great character, but his romance was so predictable.
There are lots of balls and operas with many misunderstandings and rumors. Fans of this type of Regency are sure to love this book. If you are more interested in the "he said, she said" of the Regency social circle and won't mind if the romances aren't fully fleshed out, you will most likely enjoy this book.
Overall, heavy on the Regency social scene, lite on the actual romances.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
November 4, 2019
three romances
Rye is a young man looking to marry an heiress. He's responsible, has a good sense of humor and is honorable. The perfect hero for Portia, a ladies companion with a quick wit. The problem with this love story is Portia's deception - too good to be true. The second couple was between a lovely but immature girl and a sophisticated man a few years older than she is. I'm not sure how long this marriage would last. The third romance was between a mature couple who become reacquainted after many years. This was my least favorite because she was a ninny and he was a cad.
Rye is a young man looking to marry an heiress. He's responsible, has a good sense of humor and is honorable. The perfect hero for Portia, a ladies companion with a quick wit. The problem with this love story is Portia's deception - too good to be true. The second couple was between a lovely but immature girl and a sophisticated man a few years older than she is. I'm not sure how long this marriage would last. The third romance was between a mature couple who become reacquainted after many years. This was my least favorite because she was a ninny and he was a cad.
July 11, 2017
Beaucoup moins bon que l'autre roman de l'auteure, Une affaire de mariage, qui était pourtant basé sur le même principe : suivre trois couples différents dans une seule et même histoire.
Mais l'auteure a manqué ici d'habileté dans sa manière de gérer ses différentes intrigues, en répétant très (trop) souvent, à chaque changement de couple, les mêmes scènes d'un nouveau point de vue. Les différents personnages (la mère, la fille et le fils) se fréquentant trop pour faciliter les changements de point de vue, d'ailleurs.
L'auteure a évoqué de nombreux personnages et, pour certaines intrigues secondaires, on ne sait pas ce qu'il en est au final. Quand aux trois intrigues principales, je les ai trouvé insuffisamment développées en particulier celle qui concerne Sophie, la fille. Même chose pour l'intrigue concernant la mère, Miranda, qui était très prometteuse. Je referme cette romance en étant plutôt déçue et avec un sentiment d'inachèvement.
Mais l'auteure a manqué ici d'habileté dans sa manière de gérer ses différentes intrigues, en répétant très (trop) souvent, à chaque changement de couple, les mêmes scènes d'un nouveau point de vue. Les différents personnages (la mère, la fille et le fils) se fréquentant trop pour faciliter les changements de point de vue, d'ailleurs.
L'auteure a évoqué de nombreux personnages et, pour certaines intrigues secondaires, on ne sait pas ce qu'il en est au final. Quand aux trois intrigues principales, je les ai trouvé insuffisamment développées en particulier celle qui concerne Sophie, la fille. Même chose pour l'intrigue concernant la mère, Miranda, qui était très prometteuse. Je referme cette romance en étant plutôt déçue et avec un sentiment d'inachèvement.
July 25, 2011
I love historical romances and whenever someone asks for suggestions or who my favorite authors are I always mention Julie Garwood, Julia Quinn or Johanna Lindsey. If all of Leigh Michaels' books are as good as this one then I have a feeling her name will quickly join my list of favorite authors. She captures the perfect balance between humor, romance and sexiness in this story.
The Characters
I can't think of a single character I disliked in this story. I really enjoyed Ryecroft and the fact that physically he wasn't an Adonis but he still had London's ladies flocking around him due to his humor, kindness and ok I'm sure his title had a little to do with it. Sophie was spunky, kind and naive and you can't help but love her. Unlike many heroines who do stupid things despite being made out to be strong, smart women she isn't painted to be the perfect woman. Yes she makes some bad decisions due to naiveness but they aren't out of character with your typical young woman who has never been to London. Everything she does is so realistic that you can't help but put yourself in her shoes and relate to her situation and feelings. Miranda, the man Sophie falls for and the woman Rye falls for were all wonderful characters as well. They were all perfectly flawed and perfectly endearing. I did find it funny that Miranda appears to be around her late 30s and there are constant references to her being past her prime and with the way her son refers to her you would think she was an old woman. I know people didn't have as long of life span as we do now but it still made me laugh on how the young view their parents sometimes. For those of you who are fans of Lady Danbury in Julia Quinn's books you will meet her equivalent, Lady Stone, who is just as crochety, plain speaking and soft hearted.
The Story
I'm always a little leery about books that centralize around several romances instead of focusing on just one couple with maybe a minor couple thrown into the mix. Leigh Michaels wove all three love stories in so well together that it never felt disjointed to me and all the couples wormed their way into my heart. It was hilarious watching the characters interact with each other and there was never a dull moment in the book for me. I stayed up way too late reading this book because I couldn't stop until I got to the end. Even though with most romances you know there will be a happy ending it was one of those stories you get immersed in and the journey to the end is just as satisfying as the happily ever after.
I find it hard to be coherent as I just want to gush about this book. If you are a fan of Julie Garwood, Julia Quinn or Johanna Lindsey and are looking for a new book I highly suggest picking this one up. I know I will be adding the rest of Leigh Michaels books to my to be read list.
The Characters
I can't think of a single character I disliked in this story. I really enjoyed Ryecroft and the fact that physically he wasn't an Adonis but he still had London's ladies flocking around him due to his humor, kindness and ok I'm sure his title had a little to do with it. Sophie was spunky, kind and naive and you can't help but love her. Unlike many heroines who do stupid things despite being made out to be strong, smart women she isn't painted to be the perfect woman. Yes she makes some bad decisions due to naiveness but they aren't out of character with your typical young woman who has never been to London. Everything she does is so realistic that you can't help but put yourself in her shoes and relate to her situation and feelings. Miranda, the man Sophie falls for and the woman Rye falls for were all wonderful characters as well. They were all perfectly flawed and perfectly endearing. I did find it funny that Miranda appears to be around her late 30s and there are constant references to her being past her prime and with the way her son refers to her you would think she was an old woman. I know people didn't have as long of life span as we do now but it still made me laugh on how the young view their parents sometimes. For those of you who are fans of Lady Danbury in Julia Quinn's books you will meet her equivalent, Lady Stone, who is just as crochety, plain speaking and soft hearted.
The Story
I'm always a little leery about books that centralize around several romances instead of focusing on just one couple with maybe a minor couple thrown into the mix. Leigh Michaels wove all three love stories in so well together that it never felt disjointed to me and all the couples wormed their way into my heart. It was hilarious watching the characters interact with each other and there was never a dull moment in the book for me. I stayed up way too late reading this book because I couldn't stop until I got to the end. Even though with most romances you know there will be a happy ending it was one of those stories you get immersed in and the journey to the end is just as satisfying as the happily ever after.
I find it hard to be coherent as I just want to gush about this book. If you are a fan of Julie Garwood, Julia Quinn or Johanna Lindsey and are looking for a new book I highly suggest picking this one up. I know I will be adding the rest of Leigh Michaels books to my to be read list.
August 16, 2011
Charming characters, sparkling conversation and exuberant humor abound in Leigh Michaels's Regency historical, JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON , an exhilarating story of love found while trying to make others happy.
Young Viscount Ryecroft has no money. How can he keep up his estate, give his little sister, Sophie, a London Season so she can find a mate she wants, and also provide for his widowed mother, Miranda? He has to get them all to London for the Season. He will do anything he has to, including wedding an heiress for her money. Unbeknownst to him, Sophie and Miranda each set into motion their own plans to sacrifice themselves for the other two's welfare.
JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON is exactly the kind of book I like. With not one, but three of my favorite type of hero, the decent man, and heroines to match them.
In her previous book, THE MISTRESS' HOUSE, Ms. Michaels wrote three separate but related novellas. Here, she has interwoven the three tales. In this era of straight-line stories, Just One Season in London is unusual in using multiple heroes and heroines, all of whose stories are of equal importance. In Ms. Michaels's deft hands, this means three times the fun. I like the way she intertwines scenes, showing each first from one main character's perspective, and then another's and another's. She keeps us in suspense until the final triple HEA.
I loved this book. In a world where everyone is out for him-or-herself, how refreshing to find characters so willing to sacrifice themselves for others.
There's probably a moral here about how you can make yourself happy when you make others happy, but we'll leave any possible preaching aside. Go and read JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON and have a good time.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
Young Viscount Ryecroft has no money. How can he keep up his estate, give his little sister, Sophie, a London Season so she can find a mate she wants, and also provide for his widowed mother, Miranda? He has to get them all to London for the Season. He will do anything he has to, including wedding an heiress for her money. Unbeknownst to him, Sophie and Miranda each set into motion their own plans to sacrifice themselves for the other two's welfare.
JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON is exactly the kind of book I like. With not one, but three of my favorite type of hero, the decent man, and heroines to match them.
In her previous book, THE MISTRESS' HOUSE, Ms. Michaels wrote three separate but related novellas. Here, she has interwoven the three tales. In this era of straight-line stories, Just One Season in London is unusual in using multiple heroes and heroines, all of whose stories are of equal importance. In Ms. Michaels's deft hands, this means three times the fun. I like the way she intertwines scenes, showing each first from one main character's perspective, and then another's and another's. She keeps us in suspense until the final triple HEA.
I loved this book. In a world where everyone is out for him-or-herself, how refreshing to find characters so willing to sacrifice themselves for others.
There's probably a moral here about how you can make yourself happy when you make others happy, but we'll leave any possible preaching aside. Go and read JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON and have a good time.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
September 25, 2016
This was about three couples, but all across the board I thought there was too much going on and that the romances and the characterization suffered for it.
Marcus and Miranda-- I didn't care for Marcus. He was arrogant and told Miranda what she wanted. I never warmed up to him. Miranda could have been a more interesting character, but she wasn't. This one was just... blah, okay, whatever, do I have to read about them?
Sophie and Wellingham--first off, while I suspected it was coming, it wasn't the least bit fleshed out. We never get Wellingham's point of view, but Sophie suspects at points that he's laughing at her. It doesn't make him the best hero in my view. This one left me cold. No romance, no buildup.
Rye and Portia--I guess this could be termed the main romance. While it was a little more romantic, all the plot lines meant it never got time to be explored. The end was quick and just threw them together. Which was pretty much the entire ending. Just throw the characters together.
Marcus and Miranda-- I didn't care for Marcus. He was arrogant and told Miranda what she wanted. I never warmed up to him. Miranda could have been a more interesting character, but she wasn't. This one was just... blah, okay, whatever, do I have to read about them?
Sophie and Wellingham--first off, while I suspected it was coming, it wasn't the least bit fleshed out. We never get Wellingham's point of view, but Sophie suspects at points that he's laughing at her. It doesn't make him the best hero in my view. This one left me cold. No romance, no buildup.
Rye and Portia--I guess this could be termed the main romance. While it was a little more romantic, all the plot lines meant it never got time to be explored. The end was quick and just threw them together. Which was pretty much the entire ending. Just throw the characters together.
August 5, 2011
Viscount Rycroft has a title, but no money to maintain his family estate or to launch his beautiful sister Sophia into society. His mother, Lady Ryecroft contacts an old love from her youth seeking help to launch Sophie, but is rebuffed. Luckily Rye is able to rent the estate and take his family to London to see how the season treats them.
This story was told from many points of view revolving around the three main characters, Rye, Sophia, and Miranda. It was interesting having so many main characters and seeing events from all of their points of views. I enjoyed the romance, and especially loved that the “old” mother (almost forty) is the one who has the steamiest scenes.
Just One Season in London is a very enjoyable regency romance novel, with Michael’s great ability to weave many threads together for one fantastic story.
This story was told from many points of view revolving around the three main characters, Rye, Sophia, and Miranda. It was interesting having so many main characters and seeing events from all of their points of views. I enjoyed the romance, and especially loved that the “old” mother (almost forty) is the one who has the steamiest scenes.
Just One Season in London is a very enjoyable regency romance novel, with Michael’s great ability to weave many threads together for one fantastic story.
June 9, 2021
Chouette livre. On y suit l'histoire de 3 couples : une veuve, son fils et sa fille. Le personnage de la mère m'a un peu agacée par moment. Mais j'ai bien aimé ses enfants, ainsi que les 3 futurs conjoints. Et Lady Stone, qui était déjà présente dans "Une affaire de mariage" du même auteur. L'histoire n'est pas follement originale. On sait très vite de qui la mère et le fils vont tomber amoureux. Par contre, pour Sophie, j'ai eu un doute entre 2 personnages au début, ce que j'ai bien aimé. La fin est malheureusement un peu rapide en ce qui la concerne. C'est dommage mais ça ne m'a pas gâché ma lecture.
September 14, 2021
This was such a lovely book, with wondrous twists and turns!
The ages of the characters were extremely confusing for me, there were only a couple that I knew for a fact, and all the rest of the characters were just hard to picture.
My favorite part of this book, was when Rye met his other half. I loved the instant connection they had toward each other, and knew they would have a fun life together.
I wish Sophie had more of a romantic relationship in this book, instead of only finding out who she loves at the very end.
Overall, a funny scandalous novel that I didn't want to finish reading.
The ages of the characters were extremely confusing for me, there were only a couple that I knew for a fact, and all the rest of the characters were just hard to picture.
My favorite part of this book, was when Rye met his other half. I loved the instant connection they had toward each other, and knew they would have a fun life together.
I wish Sophie had more of a romantic relationship in this book, instead of only finding out who she loves at the very end.
Overall, a funny scandalous novel that I didn't want to finish reading.
November 16, 2017
I Loved It
What a charming frothy classic Regency. Georgette Heyer plus some sex. This is a good way to spend an evening. I loved “The Mistress House” and this story was every bit as entertaining.
What a charming frothy classic Regency. Georgette Heyer plus some sex. This is a good way to spend an evening. I loved “The Mistress House” and this story was every bit as entertaining.
May 15, 2017
Very amusing, although TW for attempted rape.
July 18, 2017
Not quite four stars.
August 28, 2011
This is only my second book by Leigh Michaels, and one of the elements I like in her stories is the way she integrates three romances into one book. She did that quite successfully in The Mistress’ House, which I reviewed back in February. While this is still a good read, the success of the three couples’ romances just isn’t there in Just One Season in London.
Viscount Ryecroft - Rye as he’s affectionately known - is one of those heroes who needs to marry an heiress, especially to make sure his mother is taken care of after he marries and also give his younger sister a season to secure her future. Hoping to find another way to bring in money to also fix up Ryecroft Manor, he heads to London after meeting the charming and mysterious Lady Stone, who has taken an interest in Rye and is willing to help solve a few of his problems.
Lady Miranda Ryecroft, mother to Rye and Sophia, has her own ideas about how to obtain the cash necessary while sparing her children the dire circumstances of marrying for money instead of love. Finagling a visit to an old friend, Miranda then works up the courage to offer herself as mistress to her one-time beau, Marcus Winston, uncle to the Earl of Carrisbrooke. Marcus, of course, is much more imposing as a man than the boy she remembers, along with being so very handsome and sexy, and Miranda finds herself fighting desire when he kisses and touches her. But when he refuses her proposal, she flees in embarrassment.
Sophia also gets into the drama when she figures it would be better for her, instead of Rye, to sacrifice by marrying for money. She hatches a plan to hightail it to London with Robert Wellington, the banker who’s renting Ryecroft manor for the season while the family is absent. After arrangements are made, and after Mr. Wellington first laughs at her and then guarantees he will get her to London, Sophie is surprised when Rye returns home with news that all is set up for the entire family to be guests of Lady Stone, who is also willing to host the ball that will introduce Sophie to society.
Rye is taken with Portia, Lady Stone’s companion. She’s beautiful, at times acerbic, but knows the ins and outs of societal mores and does her job well. Of course, she has a secret that not many are privy to. The banter between her and Rye is fun, especially in the beginning when she makes her opinion known of men who marry for money. But Rye goes with the flow, polite but giving as good as he gets. You can see their attraction from a mile away while they both deny it to the core.
All the plans made don’t go as well as hoped, so Sophia continues with her own plan to save the family and encourages the courtship of the Earl of Carrisbrooke, a poetry-spouting youngster. But it’s Robert Wellington who makes her smile, makes her laugh, and makes her tingle. In actuality, we don’t get much interaction with these two and no real intimacy whatsoever. Their attraction isn’t even said aloud until pretty close to the end of the book. I’d rather have more with them instead of the insipid earl, who at this point is not hero material.
Rye and Portia are more interesting, mostly because their attraction goes further, becoming unlikely lovers with conflict still abounding around them. Portia’s secret finally does come out, and Rye is caught unaware, questioning why she didn’t confide in him. They are the main couple in the story, but to me they’re not the most interesting.
That would be Marcus and Miranda, and that’s because theirs is a more mature love, one that means so much more than most couples starting out. Their history gives them a step up from first love, which Miranda now knows doesn’t last. Marcus is determined to have Miranda and shows her at every opportunity how it could be between them. I thoroughly enjoyed these two from beginning to end.
Whereas all three stories in Ms. Michaels’ previous book were all quite enjoyable, this one, for me, gave me only two while the third is just luke warm. But it’s still a nice story that will satisfy the historical fan in you.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
Viscount Ryecroft - Rye as he’s affectionately known - is one of those heroes who needs to marry an heiress, especially to make sure his mother is taken care of after he marries and also give his younger sister a season to secure her future. Hoping to find another way to bring in money to also fix up Ryecroft Manor, he heads to London after meeting the charming and mysterious Lady Stone, who has taken an interest in Rye and is willing to help solve a few of his problems.
Lady Miranda Ryecroft, mother to Rye and Sophia, has her own ideas about how to obtain the cash necessary while sparing her children the dire circumstances of marrying for money instead of love. Finagling a visit to an old friend, Miranda then works up the courage to offer herself as mistress to her one-time beau, Marcus Winston, uncle to the Earl of Carrisbrooke. Marcus, of course, is much more imposing as a man than the boy she remembers, along with being so very handsome and sexy, and Miranda finds herself fighting desire when he kisses and touches her. But when he refuses her proposal, she flees in embarrassment.
Sophia also gets into the drama when she figures it would be better for her, instead of Rye, to sacrifice by marrying for money. She hatches a plan to hightail it to London with Robert Wellington, the banker who’s renting Ryecroft manor for the season while the family is absent. After arrangements are made, and after Mr. Wellington first laughs at her and then guarantees he will get her to London, Sophie is surprised when Rye returns home with news that all is set up for the entire family to be guests of Lady Stone, who is also willing to host the ball that will introduce Sophie to society.
Rye is taken with Portia, Lady Stone’s companion. She’s beautiful, at times acerbic, but knows the ins and outs of societal mores and does her job well. Of course, she has a secret that not many are privy to. The banter between her and Rye is fun, especially in the beginning when she makes her opinion known of men who marry for money. But Rye goes with the flow, polite but giving as good as he gets. You can see their attraction from a mile away while they both deny it to the core.
All the plans made don’t go as well as hoped, so Sophia continues with her own plan to save the family and encourages the courtship of the Earl of Carrisbrooke, a poetry-spouting youngster. But it’s Robert Wellington who makes her smile, makes her laugh, and makes her tingle. In actuality, we don’t get much interaction with these two and no real intimacy whatsoever. Their attraction isn’t even said aloud until pretty close to the end of the book. I’d rather have more with them instead of the insipid earl, who at this point is not hero material.
Rye and Portia are more interesting, mostly because their attraction goes further, becoming unlikely lovers with conflict still abounding around them. Portia’s secret finally does come out, and Rye is caught unaware, questioning why she didn’t confide in him. They are the main couple in the story, but to me they’re not the most interesting.
That would be Marcus and Miranda, and that’s because theirs is a more mature love, one that means so much more than most couples starting out. Their history gives them a step up from first love, which Miranda now knows doesn’t last. Marcus is determined to have Miranda and shows her at every opportunity how it could be between them. I thoroughly enjoyed these two from beginning to end.
Whereas all three stories in Ms. Michaels’ previous book were all quite enjoyable, this one, for me, gave me only two while the third is just luke warm. But it’s still a nice story that will satisfy the historical fan in you.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
July 9, 2011
A family that courts together...
Viscount Ryecroft has a beautiful sister he needs to marry off... if only he had the money for her Season in London.
His family is in financial ruins, and his mother is willing to do anything to help her children, including sell herself to the highe st bidder...
Finds passion on their own...
Sophie Ryecroft will sacrifice love to marry for the good of her family... but instead finds passion and solace in an attracti ve alternative.
With so much riding on their one and only Season in London, Rye, Sophie, and Miranda can't help but get hopelessly entangled with all the wrong people...
A chance to make a single lasting impression and hopefully garner a proposal for Sophie, an opportunity to become reacquainted with an old beau and gain a promise for Miranda, and a duty to fulfill by finding a willing and necessary heiress for Rye…all they need is Just One Season in London!
National Bestselling Author Leigh Michaels is well known for historical romances that sweep the reader along for epic adventures. Her characters will have you falling in love right along with them as they search for love in all the right places and manage to find it in the most unexpected places instead. This holds true for Lady Miranda Ryecroft, her son Viscount Ryecroft (Rye) and daughter Miss Sophronia Ryecroft (Sophie).
The Ryecrofts have lost so much since the death of their father and Miranda’s husband. All they have left is land that needs planting, a rambling manor in need of repairs, and their love and devotion to one another. Ms. Michaels has such a poignant way of building the characters up in the minds of the readers, I found myself worrying right along with them, considering all their options and finally rejoicing at how they each find their happily ever after.
Just One Season in London is a Regency historical and Ms. Michaels does a fantastic job of keeping true to the time period. If you’ve read this genre before you know that there are strict rules with the Ton. There are those that have money and title that is inherited and then there is the working class. Oftentimes the two cross when a member of the Ton marries down or one from the working class marries up. Both situations are highly frowned upon because it mixes “bad blood” either way. There is an underlying story about class distinction in Ms. Michael’s story that illustrates this outdated school of thought and the benefits of simply not caring.
Also, I must mention that Ms. Michaels uses a POV technique that I’ve not often seen and is difficult to pull off without confusing the reader. Within the pages of this novel the reader is treated to knowing what is going on with each character simultaneously in any given situation. It doesn’t come off as head hopping so much as a single continuing story where the directions and decisions made by Miranda, Rye and Sophie converge to produce a single fantastic journey.
I laughed, I sighed and I did my very best to steer the charismatic Ryecroft family in the right direction. Lucky for them, Ms. Michaels had their stories all planned out and it was terrific to sit back and watch. If beautiful settings, clever dialogue and heartwarming love stories are what you’re in the mood for then Just One Season in London is a true can’t miss. Move it to the top of you TBR, you won’t be sorry!
Originally published on Long and Short Reviews
June 30, 2011
Just One Season in London by Leigh Michaels
Historical Romance –July 1st, 2011
4 stars
Humorous, romantic comedy of errors makes for a vastly entertaining Regency romance.
Rye is a young earl without a penny to his name. His father gambled away his family’s future. As the whole family struggles, each devises a plan to find a way secure their future by having a season in London. Rye’s mother, Lady Miranda pins her hopes on finding the funds to give her beautiful and impetuous daughter a trip to London and snatch a wealthy man. Rye is looking to find an heiress who might want his title. His younger sister, Sophia is just looking to get away from the boring rustic life and snag an unsuspecting and rich groom. But all their plans go awry and soon they are all caught in their own web of lies. Will their intended partners understand and forgive their scheming?
This was a fun read. Each of the family members tries to find their own way to recoup the family wealth. And although they all lie and scheme, they never seemed heartless or underhanded. If fact, this provided for a vastly amusing and even sweet storyline. I was amazed that the author could juggle three different couples into this charming book. I loved Lady Miranda’s story and that of her dutiful son, Rye. Both were genuine and I kept turning the pages to get to their sections. I could tell early on who would be each of their intended lovers. I only wanted to know how the author would make it happen. I felt that the relationships between them and their partners was very realistic and heartwarming as I got involved with their deep and troubled feelings. The only discrepancy to this book was the impetuous and sometimes unbelievable young Sophie. I never could quite relate to her and her romance seemed a bit tacked on.
Lighthearted and surprisingly deep, this was a romance that will entertain and amuse.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Historical Romance –July 1st, 2011
4 stars
Humorous, romantic comedy of errors makes for a vastly entertaining Regency romance.
Rye is a young earl without a penny to his name. His father gambled away his family’s future. As the whole family struggles, each devises a plan to find a way secure their future by having a season in London. Rye’s mother, Lady Miranda pins her hopes on finding the funds to give her beautiful and impetuous daughter a trip to London and snatch a wealthy man. Rye is looking to find an heiress who might want his title. His younger sister, Sophia is just looking to get away from the boring rustic life and snag an unsuspecting and rich groom. But all their plans go awry and soon they are all caught in their own web of lies. Will their intended partners understand and forgive their scheming?
This was a fun read. Each of the family members tries to find their own way to recoup the family wealth. And although they all lie and scheme, they never seemed heartless or underhanded. If fact, this provided for a vastly amusing and even sweet storyline. I was amazed that the author could juggle three different couples into this charming book. I loved Lady Miranda’s story and that of her dutiful son, Rye. Both were genuine and I kept turning the pages to get to their sections. I could tell early on who would be each of their intended lovers. I only wanted to know how the author would make it happen. I felt that the relationships between them and their partners was very realistic and heartwarming as I got involved with their deep and troubled feelings. The only discrepancy to this book was the impetuous and sometimes unbelievable young Sophie. I never could quite relate to her and her romance seemed a bit tacked on.
Lighthearted and surprisingly deep, this was a romance that will entertain and amuse.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
August 25, 2011
This was a very interesting, good book. It focuses on three couples, not just one, and while you would think it would be confusing or wouldn't work, Leigh Michaels somehow made it work! The story centers around the Ryecroft family and their need for money to keep the estate afloat. Viscount Ryecroft knows it is his duty to find a wealthy heiress so that he may provide for his mother and give his sister a season in London. When an unexpected opportunity falls into his lap, he is able to travel to London with his mother and his sister, Sophie, each with their own hope that this one season in London will provide them with the chance to provide for the family and the future.
Sophie is the belle of the ton and seems to have her pick of suitors. But will she choose for money or will she follow her heart? Rye know his duty but when circumstances force him to choose between protecting his family or protecting a woman, what will he do? And Ryes mother, Miranda, will do anything to provide for her children but when her offer is tossed back in her face, how will she overcome this obstacle and keep her heart intact?
Each of our three couples get the time they need to develop together though I did feel a bit confused at times as to who the end couples would be. Especially with Sophie. I did feel like her pairing was the most confusing because it was not totally clarified until right at the end and I would have liked to have seen a bit more of her with her man together. But overall, this is a wonderful story of family and love and passion all wove together in a way that keeps you flipping the pages to see what turn will happen next. I am looking forward to more novels from Ms Michaels who seems to have a knack for weaving together three happily-ever-afters into one. 4 solid stars!
Sophie is the belle of the ton and seems to have her pick of suitors. But will she choose for money or will she follow her heart? Rye know his duty but when circumstances force him to choose between protecting his family or protecting a woman, what will he do? And Ryes mother, Miranda, will do anything to provide for her children but when her offer is tossed back in her face, how will she overcome this obstacle and keep her heart intact?
Each of our three couples get the time they need to develop together though I did feel a bit confused at times as to who the end couples would be. Especially with Sophie. I did feel like her pairing was the most confusing because it was not totally clarified until right at the end and I would have liked to have seen a bit more of her with her man together. But overall, this is a wonderful story of family and love and passion all wove together in a way that keeps you flipping the pages to see what turn will happen next. I am looking forward to more novels from Ms Michaels who seems to have a knack for weaving together three happily-ever-afters into one. 4 solid stars!
August 15, 2011
I liked the book! I was surprised there was more to the story than I thought there would be in the beginning. I was expecting a lot of fluff but there was a good story told in this book. It took me a couple of days but I was busy doing other things. The family in this book has a daughter who is of the age where she needs to have a lot of money to buy the trappings of a "Season" to be presented to the London society so she may meet a young man with money to help the family mansion to be updated. The family has fallen on harder times and the family home needs a lot of upkeep for which they do not have the money. There is a son in the family who would like to marry but he needs money to offer a young lady if he wants to marry well. The mother is also unmarried! They end up all searching for the perfect mate after the son falls into a situation in which he can get his sister decked out and represented to society. I'll leave the ending up to your imagination!
Here is the information that comes from the back of the book: A family that courts together...
Viscount Ryecroft has a beautiful sister he needs to marry off... if only he had the money for her Season in London.
His family is in financial ruins, and his mother is willing to do anything to help her children, including sell herself to the highe st bidder...
Finds passion on their own...
Sophie Ryecroft will sacrifice love to marry for the good of her family... but instead finds passion and solace in an attracti ve alternative.
With so much riding on their one and only Season in London, Rye, Sophie, and Miranda can't help but get hopelessly entangled with all the wrong people...
Celebrated author Leigh Michaels effortlessly weaves three tales of unexpected romance with surprising twists you won't soon forget.
Here is the information that comes from the back of the book: A family that courts together...
Viscount Ryecroft has a beautiful sister he needs to marry off... if only he had the money for her Season in London.
His family is in financial ruins, and his mother is willing to do anything to help her children, including sell herself to the highe st bidder...
Finds passion on their own...
Sophie Ryecroft will sacrifice love to marry for the good of her family... but instead finds passion and solace in an attracti ve alternative.
With so much riding on their one and only Season in London, Rye, Sophie, and Miranda can't help but get hopelessly entangled with all the wrong people...
Celebrated author Leigh Michaels effortlessly weaves three tales of unexpected romance with surprising twists you won't soon forget.
November 10, 2011
3.5 Stars. The review that follows is a partial review. To view the entire review, please visit:
http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspo...
Just One Season in London held so much promise—promise of romance and second chances, of
happily ever afters and all the twists in the road while trying to get there. But upon reading the novel, I
found much of it to be, unfortunately, lacking in most of these areas, along with a few other important
ones as well.
I believe my biggest disappointment was the characters; from Miranda and Sophie to Rye and Robert,
to name a few, they all seemed a bit flat, two-dimensional, rather than fully developed like good heroes
and heroines should be. This was, after all, a story that covered not one couple's story but three
couples; yet I couldn't even find just one character that truly stuck out. Some were too flighty, too
easily turned by the whims of Society, others we were simply not told enough about to get a good feel
for who they actually are.
If the characters had been different, if they had been more, well, just “more” in general, I believe that
the storyline may have been enough to hold the story together better, and perhaps bring about a higher
rating. The romance wasn't too bad; despite there being three couples in the novel, there wasn't a lot of
it, in comparison to other ones in this genre, but nonetheless what was there was good. I do wish that
there had been more, for all of the couples, but I can't say whether the additional romance, with no
other additions or improvements, would have been enough to make me love this book.
...
~*~*~
This review is property of NightOwlRomance.com
http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspo...
Just One Season in London held so much promise—promise of romance and second chances, of
happily ever afters and all the twists in the road while trying to get there. But upon reading the novel, I
found much of it to be, unfortunately, lacking in most of these areas, along with a few other important
ones as well.
I believe my biggest disappointment was the characters; from Miranda and Sophie to Rye and Robert,
to name a few, they all seemed a bit flat, two-dimensional, rather than fully developed like good heroes
and heroines should be. This was, after all, a story that covered not one couple's story but three
couples; yet I couldn't even find just one character that truly stuck out. Some were too flighty, too
easily turned by the whims of Society, others we were simply not told enough about to get a good feel
for who they actually are.
If the characters had been different, if they had been more, well, just “more” in general, I believe that
the storyline may have been enough to hold the story together better, and perhaps bring about a higher
rating. The romance wasn't too bad; despite there being three couples in the novel, there wasn't a lot of
it, in comparison to other ones in this genre, but nonetheless what was there was good. I do wish that
there had been more, for all of the couples, but I can't say whether the additional romance, with no
other additions or improvements, would have been enough to make me love this book.
...
~*~*~
This review is property of NightOwlRomance.com
July 20, 2011
RATING:4.5)JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON by Leigh Michaels is an exciting historical romance set in Regency England. It is written with depth and details.The characters will capture your heart. This is a tale of a family of three,whom need money,love and happiness. It is about a son,his sister and his mother,each would sacrifice their happiness to save the others. Viscount Ryecroft's father left them with a fine estate but little to no finances.His sister,Sophie,needs a season in London,but how with little to know money.Their widowed mother,Lady Miranda,will do anything,including offering herself to her childhood love,as his mistress,for her children. This story is beautifully woven with humor,love,mayhem,romance,a few secrets,family that will capture your heart.Their sparks of passion,attraction will keep your turning pages from the first page to the last with a few twists and turns. This is an unusual story with three heroes and three heroines.It proves that a family that courts together can find love and happiness together as well.What an entertaining story Just One Season In London is. A must read.A keeper. This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher.Details can be found at Sourcebooks Casablanca,an imprint of Sourcebooks,Inc.and My Book Addiction Reviews.
August 30, 2014
This was my first book by Leigh Michaels, and I loved her style. I love historical romance books and this was one of them. And it was a good one. It was about three different relationships connected to each other. And I think the author Leigh Michaels wove all three love stories in so well. She did a great job on the balance of romance and humor. I really enjoyed seeing the culture, like dances and seasons. I liked all of the characters. Rye was extremely fascinating, I loved his sense of humor. and I really loved Portia but her relationship with Rye was very obvious from the beginning of the book. Sophie was a spunky, kind and naive character. And she was so realistic, I loved her character. Sophie and Robert had a very lovely connection between them. Miranda and Marcus' story was very interesting. I found Carrisbrooke as an very interesting character.
So if you love historical romances, you should definietly read this book. I don't think you would be dissapointed.
So if you love historical romances, you should definietly read this book. I don't think you would be dissapointed.
October 11, 2011
Sooooo wonderful. I was smiling through the last 200 pages and up way too late finishing it. Three romances -- mom Miranda, son Rye and daughter Sophie. I wasn't quite sure how Sophie's was going to end, but it reminded me a lit of Emma. Rye and portia's romance was lovely, more pride and prejudice, and Miranda and Marcus felt very Persuasion. It ended too soon -- I wanted to spend more time with the characters. Great supporting characters, with the young nephew, the horrible rake and the meddling lady stone who brought them all together. It was a little slow in the beginning, and with so many characters, scenes like the ball at the end seemed to go on for a long time as all the stories overlapped and wove together. I found myself flipping ahead to see hoe long until we saw those characters again. Still, sooooooo wonderful.
January 25, 2012
To me this one was not your typical historical romance.
It started as it might turn out that way. Just let me say the girl falls for the last one I thought she would fall for.
In this story there is a family that has befallen hard times and one most married to bring everything back to stretch. The sister thinks it her; the brother the earl thinks it is him and the mother so wants to help as well.
This is such a great story, one of the ones that makes it hard to put down.
Lot’s of Twist and turns to keep you hooked. I am glad I picked this one up at the Library this week…
Happy Reading Everyone!
It started as it might turn out that way. Just let me say the girl falls for the last one I thought she would fall for.
In this story there is a family that has befallen hard times and one most married to bring everything back to stretch. The sister thinks it her; the brother the earl thinks it is him and the mother so wants to help as well.
This is such a great story, one of the ones that makes it hard to put down.
Lot’s of Twist and turns to keep you hooked. I am glad I picked this one up at the Library this week…
Happy Reading Everyone!
May 12, 2014
Tremendous!
This historical romance set in London and the "country" has a little something for everyone. With the family finances in a bind, Viscount Ryecroft, his mother, Miranda and younger sister, Sophie will do anything to get the family to London for the Season and protect the family.
Throughout this story, there are romances galore -- three stories for the price of one! Michaels does a wonderful job in telling each story. Although not necessary, what might have made this book a tad better (if that's even possible!) would have been an Epilogue at the end.
This historical romance set in London and the "country" has a little something for everyone. With the family finances in a bind, Viscount Ryecroft, his mother, Miranda and younger sister, Sophie will do anything to get the family to London for the Season and protect the family.
Throughout this story, there are romances galore -- three stories for the price of one! Michaels does a wonderful job in telling each story. Although not necessary, what might have made this book a tad better (if that's even possible!) would have been an Epilogue at the end.
March 31, 2016
I really enjoyed the multiple protagonists in this book. That is something you don't see very often in regency romance (although if you enjoy that format I recommend The Birthday Scandal also by Leigh Michaels). I found all three protagonists to be engaging and relatable. My only issue is that the author uses modern phrases throughout the book. If you are a stickler about historical accuracy this may not be the book for you. I was able to ignore it for the most part. It was a fun read and I may revisit it at some point.
June 24, 2014
Charming three-fer, three romances for the price of one. Shades of O'Henry's Gift of the Magi.
One lovely family, mother, son, and daughter, near destitute, the son is a Viscount without enough income. The daughter is lovely. The mother wants happiness for her children.
But there isn't any practical way to afford a season in London. Or is there? Suddenly the money appears, a London hostess is found, and they're off.
True love for all, in unexpected places.
Great plot, good characters, no apparent sequels.
One lovely family, mother, son, and daughter, near destitute, the son is a Viscount without enough income. The daughter is lovely. The mother wants happiness for her children.
But there isn't any practical way to afford a season in London. Or is there? Suddenly the money appears, a London hostess is found, and they're off.
True love for all, in unexpected places.
Great plot, good characters, no apparent sequels.
May 1, 2015
Leigh Michaels always write more than one story in her novels. The best story in this novel was the mother. She selling herself to a boyhood friend for the sake of her kids future.
I really enjoy middle age historical romances, however they are not written that often. I think in middle age romances there is freedom from inhibitions and plenty of backstory that can include character flaws and poor life decisions.
I really enjoy middle age historical romances, however they are not written that often. I think in middle age romances there is freedom from inhibitions and plenty of backstory that can include character flaws and poor life decisions.
August 13, 2016
Excellente surprise ! Trois couples pour un roman, c'était un vrai pari de nous faire apprécier chaque personnage. Les histoires s'entrecroisent avec légèreté et brio. Dommage que la romance de Sophie (au jeu des 7 familles, je demande la fille) ait été à peine effleurée et son prétendant si peu développé malgré un potentiel avéré.
C'est agréable à suivre, amusant, enlevé, parfois sensuel, bref, une romance historique très plaisante.
C'est agréable à suivre, amusant, enlevé, parfois sensuel, bref, une romance historique très plaisante.
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September 26, 2011With such a unique story line, and the author's familiar prose, Just One Season in London is a success as far as regency romance novels are concerned.
Read more at Suite101: Just One Season in London – a Regency Romance Review | Suite101.com http://jessicahastings.suite101.com/j...
April 23, 2012
This book was only okay for me, which is surprising after reading all the fantastic reviews of it on here. I just found the details of the story to be a bit tiresome. The characters seemed pretty bland and there were so many different people involved that I started getting them mixed up after a while. Overall, not very impressed, but it was my first Leigh Michaels book, so I may try others.
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