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Of Paupers and Peers
Curate James Weatherly expects only genteel poverty until he learns of his inheritance. But on the way to claim his title he’s set upon by footpads and suffers a memory loss. Margaret Darrington believes he’s the new tutor for her younger brother, and thus accepts James into the family. When James regains his memory, will he persuade Margaret to love him for himself, and not his title? Regency Romance by Sheri Cobb South; originally published by Five Star
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 1, 2015
This was an extremely well written and enjoyable traditional regency, with a very authentic tone. James, the hero, was a delightful beta hero. My problem was Margaret, the heroine. It seems that the author meant her to be somewhat acerbic, which can make a heroine interesting and fun to read about. However, at times she was just outright mean and nasty to the hero, and he just took it with good grace. I ended up disliking her as a result, and didn't feel she deserved James. Hence a 3 star rating rather than the 4 that this well written book would have otherwise received from me.
November 16, 2016
This just squeaks into a 3-star category. It's a flip-around of the usual, little-girl-lost who is rescued by a handsome earl. Rather nice characters.
October 10, 2019
High end of two stars, at least when compared to the other Regency novels I finished recently. But otherwise forgettable. I finished it last night and had to double check this morning what it was even about.
January 30, 2019
I am a huge Sheri Cobb South fan. I've read all of her books, my favorites being the John Pickett series. So I was happy to give this one a try. This turned out to be a cute regency with all of the fluff and frills of the era. Sheri has a magical way of writing. The plot was simple, not many surprises yet enjoyable. The characters were mostly likable, especially James and flighty Aunt Hattie. Margaret was a bit of a stiff though. At times, a part me felt that James was too good for her. She was a bit too practical and prideful for me. There was however a sweet side love story as well--I was so happy for this HEA. This varied from the normal amnesia plot just a bit. Only two issues for me: The extended misunderstanding and I did feel like last hour was a bit rushed. All in all, it was a fun, quick read with the expected HEA. 4 stars for story and narration.
December 30, 2012
I really enjoyed this! It was a fun story - I haven't read one with an amnesia twist before! The hero and heroine were more unexpected but it was really sweet. I also enjoyed the secondary love story :) a fun, quick, easy read :) thoroughly enjoyed it :)
July 8, 2017
It goes without saying that Sheri can write a historical story without compromise. The language, the dress, the people, every single thing true to the period. I don't know if she's British which doesn't mean much anyway but just to say, she knows how to write and is not lazy in her research.
So far I've read only the John Pickett stories and this one, Of Paupers and Peers, and I've yet to be irritated by long winded narrations and suspense that doesn't get resolved until the very last paragraph. Rollicking and to the point.
Her female protagonists (come to think of it, not only the heroines) are not frail, 'swoon as the breeze blows on them' type. These women are portrayed as real people -with thoughts more than parties, ribbons or husbands in their heads.
Of Paupers and Peers are no less delightful. Though, I must say, I'd have like to have known what happened to those 'foot pads' and see Cynthia's face when -well- when James. . . {no spoilers here folks}
So far I've read only the John Pickett stories and this one, Of Paupers and Peers, and I've yet to be irritated by long winded narrations and suspense that doesn't get resolved until the very last paragraph. Rollicking and to the point.
Her female protagonists (come to think of it, not only the heroines) are not frail, 'swoon as the breeze blows on them' type. These women are portrayed as real people -with thoughts more than parties, ribbons or husbands in their heads.
Of Paupers and Peers are no less delightful. Though, I must say, I'd have like to have known what happened to those 'foot pads' and see Cynthia's face when -well- when James. . . {no spoilers here folks}
December 5, 2015
Pretty good traditional Regency romance with a pretty original plot. The characters are interesting and believable, and their behavior and language seemed true to the time period. Short and entertaining with a satisfying conclusion.
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June 8, 2022Light Regency entertainment. Recommend for summer reading. Interesting characters with just enough twists and turns to hold your interest.
September 6, 2024
Sheri Cobb South has written a sweetly engaging story with Paupers and Peers. James, a poor young man had unexpectedly inherited a dukedom, and while on his way to claim his heritage, he is robbed outside an inn, temporarily loses his memory, is found and taken in by the mfc, Margaret as a tutor for her brother.
I loved the premise of this story of amnesia and mistaken identity. James is a sweet beta hero who is rejected by a local girl then later by Margaret, both who believed James to be a poor, penniless tutor. The former tried to swan her way back into James’ graces upon finding out he was a newly minted and wealthy Duke.
Margaret had the nerve to act all outraged upon learning James’ true status as a Duke, giving him the public cut, even though she had also spurned a “poor” James for future security. Amnesia and mistaken identity. Margaret was mostly acerbic and unlikable. James was right to be hurt, but Margaret sort of redeemed herself at the end.
This was a sweet,clean romance that focused on plot not filler. A wonderful read.
I loved the premise of this story of amnesia and mistaken identity. James is a sweet beta hero who is rejected by a local girl then later by Margaret, both who believed James to be a poor, penniless tutor. The former tried to swan her way back into James’ graces upon finding out he was a newly minted and wealthy Duke.
Margaret had the nerve to act all outraged upon learning James’ true status as a Duke, giving him the public cut, even though she had also spurned a “poor” James for future security. Amnesia and mistaken identity. Margaret was mostly acerbic and unlikable. James was right to be hurt, but Margaret sort of redeemed herself at the end.
This was a sweet,clean romance that focused on plot not filler. A wonderful read.
November 18, 2018
What a fun book!
I usually only read mysteries so this was a big change from that. Liking this author so much I decided to try one of her other book styles. I really enjoyed it. It was just the right amount of love and a bit of mystery to go along with it. I thoroughly recommend it for others to read! The characters were wonderful and so easily to slip into their lives. And of course it was so fun to see good come to those who deserve it!!!
I usually only read mysteries so this was a big change from that. Liking this author so much I decided to try one of her other book styles. I really enjoyed it. It was just the right amount of love and a bit of mystery to go along with it. I thoroughly recommend it for others to read! The characters were wonderful and so easily to slip into their lives. And of course it was so fun to see good come to those who deserve it!!!
January 30, 2019
This was my first listen by Sheri Cobb South and I loved it, it's a clean historical romance with a very lovable main couple. There were plenty of sweet moments, and plenty of times I laughed out loud. I've grown used to reading historical romances with a world weary rake who is finally claimed by a shy young miss. Nothing wrong with that story line at all, but Of Paupers and Peers is just the opposite. James is a sweet tempered and poor young man, just beginning to come into his own, and Margaret is a self assured woman who has been managing her estate and her family for years, and she isn't afraid to take the lead. It was a pleasure all through!
Stevie Zimmerman was wonderful as always in this historical romance, it makes good use of her range and accents. She always has the best voice for the male lead and makes it believable. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. I'd definitely recommend this one to fans of clean historical romance!
Stevie Zimmerman was wonderful as always in this historical romance, it makes good use of her range and accents. She always has the best voice for the male lead and makes it believable. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. I'd definitely recommend this one to fans of clean historical romance!
November 4, 2013
Curate James Weatherly expects only genteel poverty until solicitor informs him that he was the heir to dukedom of Montford. On the way to claim his title he’s set upon by footpads and suffers a memory loss. h believes he’s the new tutor for her younger brother, and thus accepts James into the family. When James regains his memory, will he persuade Margaret to love him for himself, and not his title? Feel good book. Point taken from some very rushed and unbelievable storylines involving secondary characters.
June 15, 2013
A very good and well written Regency piece, very accurate historically, the slang was great. I enjoyed this book so much, Mr Weatherby was so sweet and romantic. It reminded me of a Georgette Heyer book, which is about the highest praise :)
February 5, 2018
Outstanding! Brilliantly written!
Why did I not read this sooner? It is one of the sweetest, funniest, and clever regency books I have read. I loved all the characters and the plot was original.
Why did I not read this sooner? It is one of the sweetest, funniest, and clever regency books I have read. I loved all the characters and the plot was original.
February 1, 2024
4.5 stars. Seriously, Ms. Cobb, please keep writing. Who could not love an apparent impoverished tutor who is actually a duke (except he's forgotten that he is one) and a dear woman who's just trying to keep it all together?
April 23, 2016
Irritating
The heroine was very bossy and irritating. The plot went too slow. Not one of her best books. Read The Weaver Takes a Wife
The heroine was very bossy and irritating. The plot went too slow. Not one of her best books. Read The Weaver Takes a Wife
June 9, 2019
Reviewed for AudioGals.
https://www.audiogals.net/2019/05/of-...
https://www.audiogals.net/2019/05/of-...
February 12, 2019
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
This is a kind of romance that has that elegant charm of old-fashioned tales (books and movies) in which the H and the h kiss at the end of the story - and we sigh delighted that they finally get to do it:)
The plot is deceitfully simple - James Weatherly, a poor curate, finds out that he's a duke, while on the way to claim his inheritance he's attacked by some ruffians, loses his memory and is hired to be a tutor to the younger brother of Margaret Darrington's, who in turn would do almost anything for their other sister to marry a duke (or so she says, at least:))... But as Fortune loves to interfere with mere humans' plans, not everything goes according to Margaret's intentions:)
It's a typical comedy of errors - people are not who they are thought to be, or who they themselves think they are, and there are more than one misunderstanding when it comes to who loves whom and who is going to propose to whom.... But the tale is woven with such charm and elegance that you feel like reading your favourite Jane Austen's novel - it has a similar feeel to it... at least it does for me:)
Both James and Margaret are charming characters, though you don't expect to like Margaret so much when you meet her for the first time (she does sound like a money hunter, you know:)). Background characters are also very agreeable (as Jane Austen would have probably called them), and each of them has their part to play in James and Margaret's love affair...
Narration by Ms Zimmerman is almost perfect The pace of her reading is very good, the female voices great, and although some of the male characters sound a bit overdone, she is spot on when it comes to conveying their personalities through the way they speak (one of James's friends does sound like a bored aristocrat he seems to be judging from his description:)).
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This is a kind of romance that has that elegant charm of old-fashioned tales (books and movies) in which the H and the h kiss at the end of the story - and we sigh delighted that they finally get to do it:)
The plot is deceitfully simple - James Weatherly, a poor curate, finds out that he's a duke, while on the way to claim his inheritance he's attacked by some ruffians, loses his memory and is hired to be a tutor to the younger brother of Margaret Darrington's, who in turn would do almost anything for their other sister to marry a duke (or so she says, at least:))... But as Fortune loves to interfere with mere humans' plans, not everything goes according to Margaret's intentions:)
It's a typical comedy of errors - people are not who they are thought to be, or who they themselves think they are, and there are more than one misunderstanding when it comes to who loves whom and who is going to propose to whom.... But the tale is woven with such charm and elegance that you feel like reading your favourite Jane Austen's novel - it has a similar feeel to it... at least it does for me:)
Both James and Margaret are charming characters, though you don't expect to like Margaret so much when you meet her for the first time (she does sound like a money hunter, you know:)). Background characters are also very agreeable (as Jane Austen would have probably called them), and each of them has their part to play in James and Margaret's love affair...
Narration by Ms Zimmerman is almost perfect The pace of her reading is very good, the female voices great, and although some of the male characters sound a bit overdone, she is spot on when it comes to conveying their personalities through the way they speak (one of James's friends does sound like a bored aristocrat he seems to be judging from his description:)).
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 22, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
I am quickly becoming a big fan of Sheri Cobb South. This is another fun historical romance which reminded me a bit of Jane Austen. Here, James Weatherly has been poor his entire life and worked as a tutor until unexpectly he learns that he has inherited an estate and a title. On his way to claim his inheritance, he is accosted and robbed. The assault leaves him unconscious and when he awakes, he has no memory of his true self and is assumed to be a tutor hired by the Darrington family.
This was a very enjoyable clean well written mistaken identity story which develops into a romance. I really like that the female MC are not swooning and weak but women with thoughts, feelings and desires. I love the humor, which often develops out of realistic situations.
I listened to this book -- the narrator, Stevie Zimmerman, did a good job with the narration and made an enjoyable story even more so.
I am quickly becoming a big fan of Sheri Cobb South. This is another fun historical romance which reminded me a bit of Jane Austen. Here, James Weatherly has been poor his entire life and worked as a tutor until unexpectly he learns that he has inherited an estate and a title. On his way to claim his inheritance, he is accosted and robbed. The assault leaves him unconscious and when he awakes, he has no memory of his true self and is assumed to be a tutor hired by the Darrington family.
This was a very enjoyable clean well written mistaken identity story which develops into a romance. I really like that the female MC are not swooning and weak but women with thoughts, feelings and desires. I love the humor, which often develops out of realistic situations.
I listened to this book -- the narrator, Stevie Zimmerman, did a good job with the narration and made an enjoyable story even more so.
January 27, 2019
I don't usually read historical fiction but I have fallen in love with Sheri Cobb South's "John Pickett" series. This is not part of that series but I was asked to listen and leave an honest review. I enjoyed it very much. Sheri has a wonderful way of writing that I find is hard to resist. This was an audible book which I also love and the narrator Stevie Zimmerman does an incredible job of reading. So if you want an enjoyable listen and a clean, fun, romantic historical story then this is the book to try.
February 1, 2019
Sheri Cobb South writes fabulous regency stories. I was immediately attracted to this book by seeing her name as the author, and was not disappointed at all. I loved how this story was not the expected, but full of twists, endearing characters, and incredible imagery. This is a feel good listen, and Stevie Zimmerman performs it brilliantly. She brings the characters to life with distinguishable voices, and delightful banter. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.
February 22, 2019
Sense and Pride
The family's meager prospects depend on the beautiful younger sister making an advantageous match. He's been bashed on the head and lost his memory; when it is assumed he is the awaited tutor, the books he is carrying seem to support that surmise. With all the charm one could hope for in a Regency, author Sheri Cobb South engages us in another delightful tale of crossed lovers and misunderstood intentions. I had the pleasure of listening to narrator Stevie Zimmerman's expressive enacting, making the story that much more enjoyable with the added dimension.
The family's meager prospects depend on the beautiful younger sister making an advantageous match. He's been bashed on the head and lost his memory; when it is assumed he is the awaited tutor, the books he is carrying seem to support that surmise. With all the charm one could hope for in a Regency, author Sheri Cobb South engages us in another delightful tale of crossed lovers and misunderstood intentions. I had the pleasure of listening to narrator Stevie Zimmerman's expressive enacting, making the story that much more enjoyable with the added dimension.
January 26, 2019
This was such a sweet regency romance! The story was a delightful case of mistaken identity with a couple punch to the gut moments where it seemed the hero and heroine would never put aside their pride and get together. Of course all was resolved in the end, and I find myself quite without anything to quibble about.
The audiobook narration was very well done and I enjoyed it immensely.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
The audiobook narration was very well done and I enjoyed it immensely.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
February 2, 2019
This is a lovely, traditional Regency romance full of humour and characters to cheer for.
James was such a delightful character, good natured and a well rounded nice person. He unfortunately falls for the wrong sister at the beginning but it doesn't take him long to realise his mistake. Margaret is much more suited to the quiet tutor and I couldn't wait to see the two of them get their happy ever after.
This was a lovely listen and the narrator did an excellent job.
James was such a delightful character, good natured and a well rounded nice person. He unfortunately falls for the wrong sister at the beginning but it doesn't take him long to realise his mistake. Margaret is much more suited to the quiet tutor and I couldn't wait to see the two of them get their happy ever after.
This was a lovely listen and the narrator did an excellent job.
February 7, 2019
A sweet regency romance. With a case of mistaken identity and the desire to find love for love’s sake, the twists really enhanced this story.
Sheri Cobb South is able to give us s wonderful story with very likable characters. I look forward to enjoying more of her stories.
Stevie Zimmerman’s narration was fantastic. The perfect voice for the characters.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
Sheri Cobb South is able to give us s wonderful story with very likable characters. I look forward to enjoying more of her stories.
Stevie Zimmerman’s narration was fantastic. The perfect voice for the characters.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
May 8, 2019
I absolutely loved this book... it was charming, frustrating and entirely enjoyable all wrapped up in a Jane Austen style regency romance. It's a story of forgotten identity that pride and yes... prejudice enters into as the story goes on. The narrator does a wonderful job with this story and was a pleasure to listen to. I would definitely recommend this to those who enjoy clean regency romances.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
January 29, 2023
Delightful
This book was a delight to read. I loved the Darrington family and James was one very different but so lovable hero. James was a hero in the style of a Georgette Heyer hero, decent, smart, and lovable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will promptly place it in the to be reread bookcase.
This book was a delight to read. I loved the Darrington family and James was one very different but so lovable hero. James was a hero in the style of a Georgette Heyer hero, decent, smart, and lovable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will promptly place it in the to be reread bookcase.
March 7, 2023
A "light, witty and just plain fun" novel on life in jolly ole England circa 1830's. A curate is living the life of genteel poverty when he finds he's inherited a dukedom. On his way to claim his inheritance, he's attacked and robbed. Temporarily at a loss of memory, he's taken in by a family of womenfolk experiencing a bit of genteel poverty themselves.
December 2, 2023
The characters were delightful
I enjoyed the book, it was very straight forward and I found it exciting about James..I’m a sucker for a hard working man and a great sense of Humor. I felt for Margaret..keeping the family together and planning for her family well-being.There was just enough people in this story.
I enjoyed the book, it was very straight forward and I found it exciting about James..I’m a sucker for a hard working man and a great sense of Humor. I felt for Margaret..keeping the family together and planning for her family well-being.There was just enough people in this story.
January 2, 2019
Frothy fun
This author's books are clean Regency romances a la Jane Austen. They are frothy and fun with highs and lows suffered by the characters who all seem to just want the perfect spouse.
This author's books are clean Regency romances a la Jane Austen. They are frothy and fun with highs and lows suffered by the characters who all seem to just want the perfect spouse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews