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The Ellsworth Assortment #5
Miranda at Heart
A wary widow. A dashing gentleman. When their sons cross paths, two lone parents discover love needn’t be sought to be found. Winchester, England, 1812. Unexpected widowhood leaves Miranda Ellsworth a wealthy woman in the prime of life, but she is too busy with her son and stepdaughter and too leery of fortune hunters to marry again. So when her boy’s schoolmate entangles her with his charmer of a father, she is determined to keep her distance, no matter the unfamiliar emotions which assail her.
As a younger man, Colin Wolfe married to please his family. But now that heaven has called his wife onward and his son has gone to school, he intends to enjoy his liberty. The only problem is, his son seems to prefer another family to his own, and Colin can’t stop thinking about the quiet woman at the center of it.
Avoiding each other proves impossible when Miranda must play chaperone to her stepdaughter and the dean’s flirtatious granddaughter, but she refuses to compete with younger women for Colin’s attention. Can Colin convince the respected Miranda he has her best interests at heart and that his admiration has grown into far, far more?
♥ Miranda at Heart is the 5th book in the beloved Ellsworth Assortment series. Each story can be read on its own or in order. ♥
As a younger man, Colin Wolfe married to please his family. But now that heaven has called his wife onward and his son has gone to school, he intends to enjoy his liberty. The only problem is, his son seems to prefer another family to his own, and Colin can’t stop thinking about the quiet woman at the center of it.
Avoiding each other proves impossible when Miranda must play chaperone to her stepdaughter and the dean’s flirtatious granddaughter, but she refuses to compete with younger women for Colin’s attention. Can Colin convince the respected Miranda he has her best interests at heart and that his admiration has grown into far, far more?
♥ Miranda at Heart is the 5th book in the beloved Ellsworth Assortment series. Each story can be read on its own or in order. ♥
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2024
193 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Christina Dudley
28 books268 followersChristina Hwang Dudley is the author of clean historical and contemporary romance.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 2, 2024
This started unpromisingly, with the death of a favourite character, and then a big dump of backstory, but once it got into its stride it became a pure delight, with the sort of tangled emotional situations that Dudley does so well, with her trademark humour. I loved it!
Here’s the premise: patriarch Mr William Ellsworth, husband to four wives and father of the Ellsworth Assortment, is dead, and while I’m very sad about that, I’m also very pleased that his fourth wife, the meek and very wise Miranda, will find love now. She was the downtrodden sister of the local vicar, and accepted a companionable marriage to the much older Mr Ellsworth in a spirit of pragmatism. There’s nothing romantic about it, and one of the most moving moments in an earlier book is where she reads a love letter to one of her stepdaughters, and she’s a little envious because no one has ever written anything like that to her (and this despite the fact that she’s contentedly married).
Miranda is now a widow, with a good portion and a life interest in Hollowgate, the family home, which was left to the eldest daughter. This was a puzzle to me, because why does the estate not go to the eldest son, as is normal in the Regency? I seem to recall in Tyrone’s own book he was greatly in demand as a man who would one day be rich. I can only assume it’s because the house came from Mr Ellsworth’s first wife, and so was left to one of her children, and Tyrone was (presumably) the son of one of the other wives. But it seems odd.
So Miranda is now a rich woman, and as soon as she is out of mourning, she inevitably becomes a target for fortune hunters. Meanwhile, Colin Wolfe moves with his son into the neighbourhood, and his is the backstory that took up so much of the early chapters. But it is necessary, both to understand Colin himself and his desire to enjoy himself, and also to make sense of his quiet son. Colin made a loveless marriage in his youth to benefit his family. Now that he’s free again, he wants to leave all trace of his first marriage behind and create a new life for his son and himself. But his lonely son, Edmund, is drawn to the large and loving Ellsworth family, and Colin himself is inevitably drawn in as well, especially by the placid widow.
The romance burbles along to the expected ending, but the burbling is delightfully convoluted, with many a twist along the way. Dudley’s plots are anything but predictable, and the way Colin resolves the final dilemma to win his lady is breathtaking in its audacity. There are side plots a-plenty, too, with Miranda’s other suitors providing most of the comic relief, although the highlight for me was the ball at Colin’s house and his masterful manipulation of the musicians to ensure that he spent the maximum time with the lady of his choice and as little as possible with anyone else. It’s very ingenious and (for me, anyway) completely original, and had me in stitches.
The writing is, as always, brilliant, with every word perfectly chosen - erudite, but not so erudite that the reader is constantly reaching for the dictionary. Bonus points for using delightful words like ‘thitherward’ and ‘hermitical’. There were a very few American grammatical constructions, and Edmund mysteriously became Edmond a few times, but nothing that affected my enjoyment in the slightest. Now that so many of the children are married, with children of their own, I would have appreciated a comprehensive family tree.
This book is a paean to large, boisterous, happy families. The Ellsworths may be an assorted family, but the children have grown up happily, to make happy marriages of their own. It doesn’t surprise me in the least the Edmund was drawn to them, and emerged from his shell while basking in their all-encompassing acceptance. And a pleasant surprise that Colin, too, recognised the importance of family to his future wife and made her happiness more important than his own. A wonderful read, and lovely to read about an older couple. Five stars, and highly recommended, and now to wait for Beatrice’s story.
Here’s the premise: patriarch Mr William Ellsworth, husband to four wives and father of the Ellsworth Assortment, is dead, and while I’m very sad about that, I’m also very pleased that his fourth wife, the meek and very wise Miranda, will find love now. She was the downtrodden sister of the local vicar, and accepted a companionable marriage to the much older Mr Ellsworth in a spirit of pragmatism. There’s nothing romantic about it, and one of the most moving moments in an earlier book is where she reads a love letter to one of her stepdaughters, and she’s a little envious because no one has ever written anything like that to her (and this despite the fact that she’s contentedly married).
Miranda is now a widow, with a good portion and a life interest in Hollowgate, the family home, which was left to the eldest daughter. This was a puzzle to me, because why does the estate not go to the eldest son, as is normal in the Regency? I seem to recall in Tyrone’s own book he was greatly in demand as a man who would one day be rich. I can only assume it’s because the house came from Mr Ellsworth’s first wife, and so was left to one of her children, and Tyrone was (presumably) the son of one of the other wives. But it seems odd.
So Miranda is now a rich woman, and as soon as she is out of mourning, she inevitably becomes a target for fortune hunters. Meanwhile, Colin Wolfe moves with his son into the neighbourhood, and his is the backstory that took up so much of the early chapters. But it is necessary, both to understand Colin himself and his desire to enjoy himself, and also to make sense of his quiet son. Colin made a loveless marriage in his youth to benefit his family. Now that he’s free again, he wants to leave all trace of his first marriage behind and create a new life for his son and himself. But his lonely son, Edmund, is drawn to the large and loving Ellsworth family, and Colin himself is inevitably drawn in as well, especially by the placid widow.
The romance burbles along to the expected ending, but the burbling is delightfully convoluted, with many a twist along the way. Dudley’s plots are anything but predictable, and the way Colin resolves the final dilemma to win his lady is breathtaking in its audacity. There are side plots a-plenty, too, with Miranda’s other suitors providing most of the comic relief, although the highlight for me was the ball at Colin’s house and his masterful manipulation of the musicians to ensure that he spent the maximum time with the lady of his choice and as little as possible with anyone else. It’s very ingenious and (for me, anyway) completely original, and had me in stitches.
The writing is, as always, brilliant, with every word perfectly chosen - erudite, but not so erudite that the reader is constantly reaching for the dictionary. Bonus points for using delightful words like ‘thitherward’ and ‘hermitical’. There were a very few American grammatical constructions, and Edmund mysteriously became Edmond a few times, but nothing that affected my enjoyment in the slightest. Now that so many of the children are married, with children of their own, I would have appreciated a comprehensive family tree.
This book is a paean to large, boisterous, happy families. The Ellsworths may be an assorted family, but the children have grown up happily, to make happy marriages of their own. It doesn’t surprise me in the least the Edmund was drawn to them, and emerged from his shell while basking in their all-encompassing acceptance. And a pleasant surprise that Colin, too, recognised the importance of family to his future wife and made her happiness more important than his own. A wonderful read, and lovely to read about an older couple. Five stars, and highly recommended, and now to wait for Beatrice’s story.
January 19, 2024
Not gonna lie, I was in the middle of reading another book when I spotted Miranda at Heart on Kindle Unlimited and decided to jump ship because, simply put, any day is a good day to read a Christina Dudley Regency novel.
I was very interested to see what she had planned for Miranda considering her age (in most other Regency novels I've noticed that even the "older widows" are in their late 20s, which makes me feel positively ancient at 34 😶) and her relative obscurity in comparison to the other strong Ellsworth characters.
All in all, I enjoyed Miranda's story and, as I've come to expect, was both charmed by the strong affection the Ellsworths have for each other and the humour sprinkled throughout. Also, I'm looking forward to reading Bea's story as it looks very promising!
I was very interested to see what she had planned for Miranda considering her age (in most other Regency novels I've noticed that even the "older widows" are in their late 20s, which makes me feel positively ancient at 34 😶) and her relative obscurity in comparison to the other strong Ellsworth characters.
All in all, I enjoyed Miranda's story and, as I've come to expect, was both charmed by the strong affection the Ellsworths have for each other and the humour sprinkled throughout. Also, I'm looking forward to reading Bea's story as it looks very promising!
February 23, 2024
Some really good humor along with two very good and interesting main characters.
February 12, 2024
so cute, as always
Love the Ellsworth Assortment! Christina Dudley writes such cute, fun novels. I love the dry wit sprinkled throughout and just the whole fun, tongue in cheek feeling you get about the whole mess! Very much a tangled web that always gets sorted out cleverly. It was so great to have Miranda at the forefront. Now I can’t wait for Bea! If I were to make one small request: sometimes I wish there was a family chart (I know, normally I hate that stuff) but I sometimes mixed up sisters and husbands from the first and second books. I am not as immersed in the world, though I do think the author did a good job balancing it and didn’t put too many previous character appearances. Many a series has found its downfall in the author believing her readers wanted to read or reread all about previous characters. I liked the references (even I got mixed up) and was glad she didn’t spend too much time rehashing old books. Actually, maybe I just need to reread before I start the next one. Forget my chart comment; I’ve talked myself out of it.
Love the Ellsworth Assortment! Christina Dudley writes such cute, fun novels. I love the dry wit sprinkled throughout and just the whole fun, tongue in cheek feeling you get about the whole mess! Very much a tangled web that always gets sorted out cleverly. It was so great to have Miranda at the forefront. Now I can’t wait for Bea! If I were to make one small request: sometimes I wish there was a family chart (I know, normally I hate that stuff) but I sometimes mixed up sisters and husbands from the first and second books. I am not as immersed in the world, though I do think the author did a good job balancing it and didn’t put too many previous character appearances. Many a series has found its downfall in the author believing her readers wanted to read or reread all about previous characters. I liked the references (even I got mixed up) and was glad she didn’t spend too much time rehashing old books. Actually, maybe I just need to reread before I start the next one. Forget my chart comment; I’ve talked myself out of it.
February 8, 2024
So satisfying!
It’s such a delight to see two people who have sacrificed so much of their lives for others finding joy together! I love the Ellsworth family and their love and hilarity. This latest book was perfectly satisfying!
It’s such a delight to see two people who have sacrificed so much of their lives for others finding joy together! I love the Ellsworth family and their love and hilarity. This latest book was perfectly satisfying!
February 7, 2024
This could be my favorite of the series. I loved the family love aspect so much. I also loved reading about the couples from the previous books. Love this family!
February 1, 2024
Miranda at heart
Wonderful fifth installment of this series. I enjoyed the writing and the story. It was great to be back with all the Ellsworths again, even if Bea drives me a little batty sometimes. Still, all's well that ends well and looking forward to book six!
Wonderful fifth installment of this series. I enjoyed the writing and the story. It was great to be back with all the Ellsworths again, even if Bea drives me a little batty sometimes. Still, all's well that ends well and looking forward to book six!
February 11, 2024
Recently widowed Miranda Ellsworth is, at the age of 38, a very wealthy woman. She was Mr. Ellsworth's fourth wife and much younger than he was. His previous wives had given him four daughters and one son, all of them with their own story in previous books. Miranda gave him another son, William, now 11 and off to school. With her mourning period at an end, she was soon besieged by fortune hunters.
The very tall and imposing widower, Mr. Colin Wolfe, was a new neighbor who had leased Beaumond, an adjoining estate, in order to be closer to his son, Edmund's, school. Colin's marriage had been a miserable one, imposed upon him by his impoverished family in order to better themselves financially. The only good thing to come of it was his son, now 11. Edmund was a taciturn and quiet lad, taller than other boys his age. Upon meeting his new schoolmates, William and his cousin Peter, he began to come out of his shell.
Colin Wolfe intends to marry again and hopes to find a happy alliance this time around. His wealth and good looks attract many of the eligible young ladies of the area, but he is increasingly intrigued by Miranda Ellsworth, and she by him. There are, of course, complications and hurdles to jump over before the path is clear.
From the very first sentence, I was drawn into the enticing world created by Christina Dudley, as I have been with every one of her books. Her characters come to life with all their complexity and nuance. With the exception of fortune hunters and rakes, the men in her books are the most swoonworthy in all of Historical Fictiondom. I didn't want this one to end.
The very tall and imposing widower, Mr. Colin Wolfe, was a new neighbor who had leased Beaumond, an adjoining estate, in order to be closer to his son, Edmund's, school. Colin's marriage had been a miserable one, imposed upon him by his impoverished family in order to better themselves financially. The only good thing to come of it was his son, now 11. Edmund was a taciturn and quiet lad, taller than other boys his age. Upon meeting his new schoolmates, William and his cousin Peter, he began to come out of his shell.
Colin Wolfe intends to marry again and hopes to find a happy alliance this time around. His wealth and good looks attract many of the eligible young ladies of the area, but he is increasingly intrigued by Miranda Ellsworth, and she by him. There are, of course, complications and hurdles to jump over before the path is clear.
From the very first sentence, I was drawn into the enticing world created by Christina Dudley, as I have been with every one of her books. Her characters come to life with all their complexity and nuance. With the exception of fortune hunters and rakes, the men in her books are the most swoonworthy in all of Historical Fictiondom. I didn't want this one to end.
October 30, 2024
Miranda at Heart by Christina Dudley (2024) 4/5 stars
The Ellsworth Assortment, Book Five
The fourth Mrs. Ellsworth was proposed to for practical reasons, and accepted for the same. Now a widow at thirty-nine, she discovers romantic love for the first time, but must put her family's needs before her heart.
I loved this one so much! It was wonderful to see Miranda, who did her duty so admirably in the previous books, find a happiness she never expected. The writing was solid, the characters so easy to care for, and the plot delightful.
I have read and enjoyed the entire series tremendously, from the quotes at the start of the chapters, to the historical details, to the wonderful family dynamics. I highly recommend the Ellsworth Assortment -- read in order -- for lovers of clean, intelligent, entertaining Regency romance.
The Ellsworth Assortment, Book Five
The fourth Mrs. Ellsworth was proposed to for practical reasons, and accepted for the same. Now a widow at thirty-nine, she discovers romantic love for the first time, but must put her family's needs before her heart.
I loved this one so much! It was wonderful to see Miranda, who did her duty so admirably in the previous books, find a happiness she never expected. The writing was solid, the characters so easy to care for, and the plot delightful.
I have read and enjoyed the entire series tremendously, from the quotes at the start of the chapters, to the historical details, to the wonderful family dynamics. I highly recommend the Ellsworth Assortment -- read in order -- for lovers of clean, intelligent, entertaining Regency romance.
October 31, 2025
I want to start by saying I give Christiana Dudley her flowers for consistently delivery ORIGINAL plots in a way that still follows a trope but distinguished itself. Because I’m here loving this book when I’ve never been one to particularly like romances between widow and widower because of all the shadows of the former partners but I love how this was done and then the thing with the children. I love it so much. Each character being distinct and growing as people is so beautiful. And having a mature love story with two grown adults acting as adults and having adult parent troubles is divine. Thank you for this story.
January 27, 2024
Delightful!
Christina Dudley's Miranda at Heart is as delightful a piece of Regency fiction as I have read in a while! It is part of a generally excellent series known as The Ellsworth Assortment. It would be hard to choose but this just may be my favorite so far. Ms. Dudley has a light, deft hand, and the mature hero and heroine of this novel are beautifully crafted! I highly recommend it to those who like books with low heat and a gently satirical eye for human foibles.
Christina Dudley's Miranda at Heart is as delightful a piece of Regency fiction as I have read in a while! It is part of a generally excellent series known as The Ellsworth Assortment. It would be hard to choose but this just may be my favorite so far. Ms. Dudley has a light, deft hand, and the mature hero and heroine of this novel are beautifully crafted! I highly recommend it to those who like books with low heat and a gently satirical eye for human foibles.
February 25, 2025
Ancora un romanzo ben congegnato, ben scritto, con punte di irresistibile umorismo... Dopo il crollo ignominioso di altre amate scrittrici, ormai apparentemente afflitte da cialtroneria o adepte della IA, Christina Dudley resta la mia ultima ancora di salvezza in un mondo di banalità.
Ora non mi resta che centellinare l'ultimo della serie degli Ellsworth (che mi ha molto divertito) e, con un po' di cautela, dare l'avvio a quella dei Dere.
Quattro stelle è per me la votazione più alta per una 'lettura di conforto'.
Ora non mi resta che centellinare l'ultimo della serie degli Ellsworth (che mi ha molto divertito) e, con un po' di cautela, dare l'avvio a quella dei Dere.
Quattro stelle è per me la votazione più alta per una 'lettura di conforto'.
January 21, 2024
Liked this very sweet love story. Miranda Ellsworth is left a widow at 38 with married and unmarried stepchildren that she loves, especially Beatrice. So when handsome Colin Wolfe shows up as a new neighbor and Beatrice appears to fall in love with him, Miranda realizes she must give up all thought of attaching this handsome man, apparently a far better husband for her than her previous husband. Ok, this went on a bit too long but it was pretty good.
February 27, 2024
Excellent
Laugh out loud funny, sweet and so well written it is a pleasure just to read the words. Although we have made progress in many ways I regret that we have abandoned the idea of controlling our words and emotions. I am in awe of how people expressed dismissal very well but in a respectful way. And, as Wolf, stated, observed the proprieties which allowed them to come to know their minds and hearts. Very well done…I enjoyed this story immensely.
Laugh out loud funny, sweet and so well written it is a pleasure just to read the words. Although we have made progress in many ways I regret that we have abandoned the idea of controlling our words and emotions. I am in awe of how people expressed dismissal very well but in a respectful way. And, as Wolf, stated, observed the proprieties which allowed them to come to know their minds and hearts. Very well done…I enjoyed this story immensely.
January 20, 2024
superb!
Every single one of the Ellsworth Assortment series has been a wonderful story, and this is no exception. Ms Dudley is a gifted writer. Her other books are equally engaging, with characters one can care about, and gentle humour winding its way throughout the narrative.
Every single one of the Ellsworth Assortment series has been a wonderful story, and this is no exception. Ms Dudley is a gifted writer. Her other books are equally engaging, with characters one can care about, and gentle humour winding its way throughout the narrative.
January 26, 2024
Miranda
I liked the dirtiness of this this book. I have not laughed and chuckled while reading a book in ages. Trying to keep the characters in their places was a little different. The first chapter made me read the rest of the book.
I liked the dirtiness of this this book. I have not laughed and chuckled while reading a book in ages. Trying to keep the characters in their places was a little different. The first chapter made me read the rest of the book.
May 8, 2024
Wonderful series
Miranda finally getting her HEA, and this author made it a lovely journey. To read a book about second chances for love and happiness for a man and woman who deserved it was very satisfying. Now to read Beatrice story who caused such drama in this one.
Miranda finally getting her HEA, and this author made it a lovely journey. To read a book about second chances for love and happiness for a man and woman who deserved it was very satisfying. Now to read Beatrice story who caused such drama in this one.
May 10, 2024
Miranda, now a widow,has William going to school and is still very much involved with all the family. The. Mr. Wolfe moves in whither his son and after overcoming complications within her family and just being an eligible widower they find their hea
September 29, 2024
I liked this one best of this series.
I enjoyed this series , but I liked this one the best. I really like the couple. It didn’t have any great and dramatic plot developments, I just enjoyed the romance. I like romance in a book without it being explicit.
I enjoyed this series , but I liked this one the best. I really like the couple. It didn’t have any great and dramatic plot developments, I just enjoyed the romance. I like romance in a book without it being explicit.
January 31, 2024
I was waiting for this one to come out and it didn't disappoint. Entertaining and well written; Christina Dudley is a worthy successor to Georgette Heyer. Looking forward to the next one.
February 1, 2024
A sweet continuation of this set from Christina Dudley, which absolutely must be read in order. Top-tier writer. Lovely to have a heroine who isn't 17, too!
February 4, 2024
back to form
February 26, 2024
Sweet easy read
A sweet, easy read with likeable characters in Colin and Miranda who find themselves with a chance of first love in a second time around marriage.
A sweet, easy read with likeable characters in Colin and Miranda who find themselves with a chance of first love in a second time around marriage.
February 29, 2024
My favorite
Adorable,entertaining, well done !!!
There are sixteen more words required which is a ridiculous requirement! Brevity is an attribute in a well written piece!
Adorable,entertaining, well done !!!
There are sixteen more words required which is a ridiculous requirement! Brevity is an attribute in a well written piece!
November 14, 2024
4.5…delightful story about two folks who did their duty and then found a chance to be happy. The ballroom scene at the end with its speedy songs and litany of ailments was particularly funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2025
Always enjoyable
Yet another wonderful Ellsworth tale. I found this one slightly different in a delightful way as it focused on the stranger in town as much as on the lady love.
Yet another wonderful Ellsworth tale. I found this one slightly different in a delightful way as it focused on the stranger in town as much as on the lady love.
July 4, 2025
my fave of the series.
October 12, 2025
Beatrice was a bit annoying, but otherwise I very much enjoyed the story and narration.
Read
February 11, 2026Eu estava gostando. Aí me toquei que Beatriz tem 18 anos, não 14🙈
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews