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Mrs. McVinnie's London Season
MISCHIEF IN THE MARRIAGE MART
Jeannie McVinnie was young and lovely-but she was also a widow with no intention of marrying again. And if she ever did, it certainly would not be to the high-handed, hot-tempered Captain William Summers.
The swashbuckling Summers was a naval hero who found himself at sea in the London social swim and demanded that Jeannie help his pretty niece take the plunge into the London Marriage Mart. With her innocent charge in tow, Jeannie sailed into action--trying to steer a safe course in a whirlpool of romantic intrigue... and trying to keep herself from being swept away in a wild storm of love...
Jeannie McVinnie was young and lovely-but she was also a widow with no intention of marrying again. And if she ever did, it certainly would not be to the high-handed, hot-tempered Captain William Summers.
The swashbuckling Summers was a naval hero who found himself at sea in the London social swim and demanded that Jeannie help his pretty niece take the plunge into the London Marriage Mart. With her innocent charge in tow, Jeannie sailed into action--trying to steer a safe course in a whirlpool of romantic intrigue... and trying to keep herself from being swept away in a wild storm of love...
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 1990
About the author
Carla Kelly
141 books807 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 28, 2016
It was not her fault.
Mistaken for someone else, Mrs. Jeannie McVinnie went head-to-head with Captain Sir William Summers. He ran his brother's house as he would his ship. Weathered, loud and offensive, he had threatened to send her to Newgate. Pringle, his subordinate, coughed and turned away.
She grabbed his hand and slapped the money into it. "This is what remains of the bank note you sent me in Kirkcudbright, you great big bully! I may be Jeannie McVinnie, but I wouldn't stay under the same roof with you for all the tea in China!"
At the very least, she thought he had impeccable posture.
Scottish through and through, Jeannie was a sweet young lady when not pushed; she had a gift for fixing problems. Captain Summers saw this and asked her to stay on. Her answer was NO. He reminded her that they were still at war with Boney so he did the only thing he could think of.
"Mrs Jeannie McVinnie, you are hereby impressed into the service of Captain William Summers, acting under the powers and privileges granted by his commission in the Royal Navy of His Majesty King George."
The battle lines were drawn but ~ 'You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.' ~Margaret Thatcher
I was impressed (no pun intended!) with the beginning of Jeannie's journey. There was some snappy dialogue between the thorny master of the sea and the Scottish widow with her rolling brogue. Then the story mellowed with one too many boohoos. And I would have preferred fewer side-stories and secondary characters. Beau Brummell and his dandified friends come to mind. It detracted from the actual romance.
I am still going to give it three stars because I liked it but it is not a keeper nor would I reread it at a later date. And anyone who knows me, knows that is saying a lot since I am big fan of Carla Kelly.
Mistaken for someone else, Mrs. Jeannie McVinnie went head-to-head with Captain Sir William Summers. He ran his brother's house as he would his ship. Weathered, loud and offensive, he had threatened to send her to Newgate. Pringle, his subordinate, coughed and turned away.
She grabbed his hand and slapped the money into it. "This is what remains of the bank note you sent me in Kirkcudbright, you great big bully! I may be Jeannie McVinnie, but I wouldn't stay under the same roof with you for all the tea in China!"
At the very least, she thought he had impeccable posture.
Scottish through and through, Jeannie was a sweet young lady when not pushed; she had a gift for fixing problems. Captain Summers saw this and asked her to stay on. Her answer was NO. He reminded her that they were still at war with Boney so he did the only thing he could think of.
"Mrs Jeannie McVinnie, you are hereby impressed into the service of Captain William Summers, acting under the powers and privileges granted by his commission in the Royal Navy of His Majesty King George."
The battle lines were drawn but ~ 'You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.' ~Margaret Thatcher
I was impressed (no pun intended!) with the beginning of Jeannie's journey. There was some snappy dialogue between the thorny master of the sea and the Scottish widow with her rolling brogue. Then the story mellowed with one too many boohoos. And I would have preferred fewer side-stories and secondary characters. Beau Brummell and his dandified friends come to mind. It detracted from the actual romance.
I am still going to give it three stars because I liked it but it is not a keeper nor would I reread it at a later date. And anyone who knows me, knows that is saying a lot since I am big fan of Carla Kelly.
September 6, 2016
I've given this a B- at AAR, so 3.5 stars
Originally published in 1990, Mrs McVinnie’s London Season tells the story of a young, Scottish war widow who, rather like a Regency Mary Poppins, joins the household of a troubled family and, with her very individual blend of kindness, practicality and backbone, improves the lot of each of its members.
Widowed little more than a year previously, twenty-four-year-old Jeannie McVinnie lives quietly in Kircudbright with her late husband’s father. When she receives a letter imploring her to come to London to become the companion of a young lady she has never heard of, Jeannie is mystified. It is signed by a Captain William Summers – whom she doesn’t know either – but Mr. McVinnie explains that his late sister had also been named Jean, and that she had been nanny to a family of that name, so the missive must have been meant for her. The letter tells of a spoiled young débutante, a petulant sister and a sickly nephew – and, reading between the lines, of Captain Summers’ frustration and annoyance at the situation in which he has been placed.
Even though she knows she is not the McVinnie for whom the letter was intended, Jeannie makes up her mind to go to London to see what can be done – partly to assuage her own restlessness and partly so that Mr. McVinnie can leave town for a few weeks in order to attend a gathering of his former military comrades.
Arriving at the Summers residence at a hectic moment, Jeannie is mistaken for a seamstress and bundled upstairs immediately in order to make alterations to young Larinda’s dress. Repaid by insult and ill-manners from both the young woman and her aunt, Jeannie decides straightaway that this is not the place for her and that she will head back to Scotland as soon as she can. Before she can turn tail, however, she is summoned to attend Captain Summers and a loose button.
She is immediately struck by the Captain’s air of stern authority, but decides he is too forbidding a man for comfort. He is short with Jeannie, but not rude, although she can sense he’s having trouble holding himself in check given the disruption to his routine and household caused by his niece’s upcoming début.
Summers’ anger is not merely due to disruption and his sister’s continual fits of the vapours. He is furious because, in time of war, he has been ordered back to shore by Lord Charles Smeath – his superior at the Admiralty and Larinda’s other uncle – simply because Smeath does not want to act as the girl’s escort during the Season.
When Jeannie owns the truth of her identity, the captain’s reaction is unexpected. Instead of anger or annoyance that she is not his elderly former nanny, he all but commands her to remain. Larinda must have a chaperone and companion, and Jeannie’s no-nonsense attitude is just what is needed.
Reluctantly agreeing to stay for a short time, Jeannie quickly makes her presence felt. She alerts Summers to the poor treatment being meted out to his four-year-old ward, befriends his nephew, Edward, and accompanies him on an outing to the Tower of London where a visit to the menagerie brings her to the attention of no less august a personage than Beau Brummell himself. Larinda’s determination to have nothing to do with this “nobody” lasts rather longer, but she eventually comes to realise the value of the friendship that has been offered to her and is grateful for Jeannie’s companionship and advice.
And the captain, a lonely man in an even lonelier profession finds himself, for the very first time, not as delighted at the prospect of returning to the sea as he has been in the past.
Carla Kelly fashions a charming romance between two ‘ordinary’ people, and also displays her customary eye for historical detail, especially in those scenes which detail the circumstances faced by the common sailor. She makes no bones about the precarious nature of naval life, often referring to it as the most dangerous of the armed services. Summers makes jokes about the smell and taste of four-month-old drinking water, and of his fondness for hard ship’s biscuits and simple food, but underpinning the humour are both his acknowledgement of the hardships of his chosen life as well as his abiding love for it.
Jeannie is clever and possessed of a healthy dose of common sense, things which attract Summers in no small degree, as does her affectionate, loving nature. She discovers an innate kindness behind the captain’s austere exterior, and, despite her avowed intention never to marry another military man, finds herself falling for him. While he cuts a dash, certainly in Jeannie’s eyes, Summers is neither young nor strikingly handsome, but he’s an attractive hero, possessed of considerable perception and a ready, dry wit. While their relationship does progress rather quickly, there is a depth to the connection between them that makes it believable, although a future together is not assured given Summers’ love for life at sea and Jeannie’s disinclination to marry another man who will spend months at a time away from home. There are some highly moving moments of acuity into the nature of loneliness and loss, and the secret in Jeannie’s past which is alluded to, while not dark or shameful, is tragic and pulls at the heartstrings.
Mrs McVinnie’s London Season is a quick, enjoyable read which possesses considerable insight and substance, despite its relative brevity. I do have a couple of reservations, however, one of which is that Jeannie is a bit too good to be true. I likened her to Mary Poppins at the beginning of this review, and she really is practically perfect in every way; befriending the younger children and getting through Larinda’s frostiness; winning the captain’s heart (perhaps I should be comparing her to Maria von Trapp!) and towards the end, putting others before herself, even when she receives a terrible blow.
The other is that there is a lot of disregard for convention when Jeannie and Summers are together. She might be a widow, and thus allowed a little more lassitude in her dealings with the opposite sex, but there is a lot of hand-holding and squeezing, and they have several conversations while alone together in her bedroom. This is a clean romance, so there is no hanky-panky taking place, but it still wasn’t the done thing for a man to visit a woman’s room unless they were blood relations.
At the end of the book, while Jeannie and Summers have decided they want to be together, they clearly have much to work out between them in terms of what they want from life and each other. And that’s why I’m saying that the ending is more of an HFN than an HEA. Jeannie knows Summers will not give up the sea, and he knows she wants a permanent home and children. Yet the relationship we have seen evolve is honest and open enough to leave the reader with a sense of optimism about their future. And this reader is certainly content to believe that they love each other enough to be able to make it work.
Originally published in 1990, Mrs McVinnie’s London Season tells the story of a young, Scottish war widow who, rather like a Regency Mary Poppins, joins the household of a troubled family and, with her very individual blend of kindness, practicality and backbone, improves the lot of each of its members.
Widowed little more than a year previously, twenty-four-year-old Jeannie McVinnie lives quietly in Kircudbright with her late husband’s father. When she receives a letter imploring her to come to London to become the companion of a young lady she has never heard of, Jeannie is mystified. It is signed by a Captain William Summers – whom she doesn’t know either – but Mr. McVinnie explains that his late sister had also been named Jean, and that she had been nanny to a family of that name, so the missive must have been meant for her. The letter tells of a spoiled young débutante, a petulant sister and a sickly nephew – and, reading between the lines, of Captain Summers’ frustration and annoyance at the situation in which he has been placed.
Even though she knows she is not the McVinnie for whom the letter was intended, Jeannie makes up her mind to go to London to see what can be done – partly to assuage her own restlessness and partly so that Mr. McVinnie can leave town for a few weeks in order to attend a gathering of his former military comrades.
Arriving at the Summers residence at a hectic moment, Jeannie is mistaken for a seamstress and bundled upstairs immediately in order to make alterations to young Larinda’s dress. Repaid by insult and ill-manners from both the young woman and her aunt, Jeannie decides straightaway that this is not the place for her and that she will head back to Scotland as soon as she can. Before she can turn tail, however, she is summoned to attend Captain Summers and a loose button.
She is immediately struck by the Captain’s air of stern authority, but decides he is too forbidding a man for comfort. He is short with Jeannie, but not rude, although she can sense he’s having trouble holding himself in check given the disruption to his routine and household caused by his niece’s upcoming début.
Summers’ anger is not merely due to disruption and his sister’s continual fits of the vapours. He is furious because, in time of war, he has been ordered back to shore by Lord Charles Smeath – his superior at the Admiralty and Larinda’s other uncle – simply because Smeath does not want to act as the girl’s escort during the Season.
When Jeannie owns the truth of her identity, the captain’s reaction is unexpected. Instead of anger or annoyance that she is not his elderly former nanny, he all but commands her to remain. Larinda must have a chaperone and companion, and Jeannie’s no-nonsense attitude is just what is needed.
Reluctantly agreeing to stay for a short time, Jeannie quickly makes her presence felt. She alerts Summers to the poor treatment being meted out to his four-year-old ward, befriends his nephew, Edward, and accompanies him on an outing to the Tower of London where a visit to the menagerie brings her to the attention of no less august a personage than Beau Brummell himself. Larinda’s determination to have nothing to do with this “nobody” lasts rather longer, but she eventually comes to realise the value of the friendship that has been offered to her and is grateful for Jeannie’s companionship and advice.
And the captain, a lonely man in an even lonelier profession finds himself, for the very first time, not as delighted at the prospect of returning to the sea as he has been in the past.
Carla Kelly fashions a charming romance between two ‘ordinary’ people, and also displays her customary eye for historical detail, especially in those scenes which detail the circumstances faced by the common sailor. She makes no bones about the precarious nature of naval life, often referring to it as the most dangerous of the armed services. Summers makes jokes about the smell and taste of four-month-old drinking water, and of his fondness for hard ship’s biscuits and simple food, but underpinning the humour are both his acknowledgement of the hardships of his chosen life as well as his abiding love for it.
Jeannie is clever and possessed of a healthy dose of common sense, things which attract Summers in no small degree, as does her affectionate, loving nature. She discovers an innate kindness behind the captain’s austere exterior, and, despite her avowed intention never to marry another military man, finds herself falling for him. While he cuts a dash, certainly in Jeannie’s eyes, Summers is neither young nor strikingly handsome, but he’s an attractive hero, possessed of considerable perception and a ready, dry wit. While their relationship does progress rather quickly, there is a depth to the connection between them that makes it believable, although a future together is not assured given Summers’ love for life at sea and Jeannie’s disinclination to marry another man who will spend months at a time away from home. There are some highly moving moments of acuity into the nature of loneliness and loss, and the secret in Jeannie’s past which is alluded to, while not dark or shameful, is tragic and pulls at the heartstrings.
Mrs McVinnie’s London Season is a quick, enjoyable read which possesses considerable insight and substance, despite its relative brevity. I do have a couple of reservations, however, one of which is that Jeannie is a bit too good to be true. I likened her to Mary Poppins at the beginning of this review, and she really is practically perfect in every way; befriending the younger children and getting through Larinda’s frostiness; winning the captain’s heart (perhaps I should be comparing her to Maria von Trapp!) and towards the end, putting others before herself, even when she receives a terrible blow.
The other is that there is a lot of disregard for convention when Jeannie and Summers are together. She might be a widow, and thus allowed a little more lassitude in her dealings with the opposite sex, but there is a lot of hand-holding and squeezing, and they have several conversations while alone together in her bedroom. This is a clean romance, so there is no hanky-panky taking place, but it still wasn’t the done thing for a man to visit a woman’s room unless they were blood relations.
At the end of the book, while Jeannie and Summers have decided they want to be together, they clearly have much to work out between them in terms of what they want from life and each other. And that’s why I’m saying that the ending is more of an HFN than an HEA. Jeannie knows Summers will not give up the sea, and he knows she wants a permanent home and children. Yet the relationship we have seen evolve is honest and open enough to leave the reader with a sense of optimism about their future. And this reader is certainly content to believe that they love each other enough to be able to make it work.
January 14, 2015
Carla Kelly's "Mrs McVinnie's London Season" (Traditional Regency)
Jeannie McVinnie, the heroine and title character, is a soldier's widow living in Scotland with her father-in-law. Her life is rather circumscribed and boring, so when a letter arrives inviting "Jeannie McVinnie" to London to be a companion to a naval officer's niece, who is making her come-out, she grabs the opportunity, even though she knows that the "Jeannie McVinnie" to whom the letter was addressed is her husband's late aunt. So she arrives in London, under somewhat false pretenses, and the mayhem starts. The naval officer, Captain Summers, is the hero of the story, and members of his household - his snob and harridan of a sister, his immature "mean girl" 18 year-old niece, his supposedly sickly, housebound 14 year-old nephew, and his 4 year-old possible daughter that he brought back with him from Portugal and dumped on his sister, are the other characters in it. Jeannie, our heroine, spends the book sorting out their lives for them and setting everyone she meets, including Beau Brummell and some of his cronies, on the right track.
What struck me most about this book is that EVERYTHING that happens in the story, once the heroine arrives in London, is completely over the top. Every time the heroine steps out of the house, some completely unlikely coincidence or mishap happens - either a disaster or a triumph, one after another in relentless succession. The settings of the story are also over the top, especially the description of a naval hospital where a former quartermaster of the captain's is convalescing, having been grievously injured at the battle of Trafalgar. Carla Kelly certainly enjoys rubbing the reader's face in the general dirtiness of life in early 19th century England, especially the horrendous conditions endured by common soldiers and sailors. I complained about a Grace Burrowes' book that I recently read that nothing interesting happens in it - well, this one is the exact opposite - far too many things happen in this one! IMHO, some of the subplots in this book should have been edited out - I could easily have done without the appearance of Beau Brummell as a character, for example. This would have allowed more room for character development and reflection, especially by the heroine Jeannie, and more room for the love story itself, which the hero and heroine barely have any time for, given the frenetic pace of events in the story and the demands of the other characters.
Jeannie McVinnie, the heroine and title character, is a soldier's widow living in Scotland with her father-in-law. Her life is rather circumscribed and boring, so when a letter arrives inviting "Jeannie McVinnie" to London to be a companion to a naval officer's niece, who is making her come-out, she grabs the opportunity, even though she knows that the "Jeannie McVinnie" to whom the letter was addressed is her husband's late aunt. So she arrives in London, under somewhat false pretenses, and the mayhem starts. The naval officer, Captain Summers, is the hero of the story, and members of his household - his snob and harridan of a sister, his immature "mean girl" 18 year-old niece, his supposedly sickly, housebound 14 year-old nephew, and his 4 year-old possible daughter that he brought back with him from Portugal and dumped on his sister, are the other characters in it. Jeannie, our heroine, spends the book sorting out their lives for them and setting everyone she meets, including Beau Brummell and some of his cronies, on the right track.
What struck me most about this book is that EVERYTHING that happens in the story, once the heroine arrives in London, is completely over the top. Every time the heroine steps out of the house, some completely unlikely coincidence or mishap happens - either a disaster or a triumph, one after another in relentless succession. The settings of the story are also over the top, especially the description of a naval hospital where a former quartermaster of the captain's is convalescing, having been grievously injured at the battle of Trafalgar. Carla Kelly certainly enjoys rubbing the reader's face in the general dirtiness of life in early 19th century England, especially the horrendous conditions endured by common soldiers and sailors. I complained about a Grace Burrowes' book that I recently read that nothing interesting happens in it - well, this one is the exact opposite - far too many things happen in this one! IMHO, some of the subplots in this book should have been edited out - I could easily have done without the appearance of Beau Brummell as a character, for example. This would have allowed more room for character development and reflection, especially by the heroine Jeannie, and more room for the love story itself, which the hero and heroine barely have any time for, given the frenetic pace of events in the story and the demands of the other characters.
May 16, 2015
Although these Naval romances of Carla Kelly's are certainly romances, they end with less of an HEA and more of a caution than any other romances I know of. The heroines commit despite what they know would be best for them. They commit, often after quite a period of thought, because they love, but they do not for one second think the EA will be an H. They know their husband will be gone for extended periods. That he is likely to be killed while he is gone. That he is likely to be swept up in his career and it will always be closer to his heart and more integral to his being than his wife and family could be.
In fact, these captains are such aliens on dry civilian land that one feels sorry for the day they must retire. The wife is doomed to be lonely and worried when he's away, and, having accustomed herself to being both the mistress and master of the home, annoyed when he returns for more than a visit.
And yet I enjoy these books. There is a sense of taming a wild animal, as the sea captain is brought to propose. The women are generally sturdy of character, with more "bottom" than their entirely-civilian counterparts. And in their marriages they will be expected to stand on their own two feet, take care of everything. It's appealing.
In fact, these captains are such aliens on dry civilian land that one feels sorry for the day they must retire. The wife is doomed to be lonely and worried when he's away, and, having accustomed herself to being both the mistress and master of the home, annoyed when he returns for more than a visit.
And yet I enjoy these books. There is a sense of taming a wild animal, as the sea captain is brought to propose. The women are generally sturdy of character, with more "bottom" than their entirely-civilian counterparts. And in their marriages they will be expected to stand on their own two feet, take care of everything. It's appealing.
September 19, 2017
Like most of Carla Kelly's full-length novels, this one was a solid piece of work involving two people who are forced upon the other with no intention of getting involved in the other. In Mrs. McVinnie's case, she was a widow of an army soldier living with her handicapped veteran father-in-law from the same battle that finished off her husband. You don't know this at the beginning, but there is apparently a bit of a mystery regarding her current reputation because of her actions surrounding her husband's last few weeks.
Unlike other works of Carla Kelly, this one featured a hero who eventually went back to the sea. Most sell out, especially in romance novels, even though we know this does not usually happen in real life. This comprises the most important reason behind Mrs. McVinnie's desire not to marry a soldier again.
I enjoyed this book even though it is totally different from the synopsis given. She definitely was already considering remarrying again, simply because there was nothing equally suitable an occupation of her standing in life. Captain's Summers' niece was definitely not an innocent, and was in fact, quite silly and vindictive for most of the book, though probably not of her own initiative, but from being brought up by a thoroughly silly woman (Captain Summers' sister). I actually enjoyed how silly Captain Summers' sister was. There was nothing fundamentally malicious about her, but she was so silly, so without depth, so useless and vain and superficial, as well as citing frequent illnesses to get out of duties that it was mildly interesting.
As always with Carla Kelly and her love affair with the navy, I enjoyed the historical background of the time and Mrs. McVinnie's forays into the different parts of London of the day.
Unlike other works of Carla Kelly, this one featured a hero who eventually went back to the sea. Most sell out, especially in romance novels, even though we know this does not usually happen in real life. This comprises the most important reason behind Mrs. McVinnie's desire not to marry a soldier again.
I enjoyed this book even though it is totally different from the synopsis given. She definitely was already considering remarrying again, simply because there was nothing equally suitable an occupation of her standing in life. Captain's Summers' niece was definitely not an innocent, and was in fact, quite silly and vindictive for most of the book, though probably not of her own initiative, but from being brought up by a thoroughly silly woman (Captain Summers' sister). I actually enjoyed how silly Captain Summers' sister was. There was nothing fundamentally malicious about her, but she was so silly, so without depth, so useless and vain and superficial, as well as citing frequent illnesses to get out of duties that it was mildly interesting.
As always with Carla Kelly and her love affair with the navy, I enjoyed the historical background of the time and Mrs. McVinnie's forays into the different parts of London of the day.
February 2, 2016
Carla Kelly's stories remind me so much of Georgette Heyer who happen to be my all time favorite regency romance author.
There is a mixture of comedy, romance and historic elements.
I feel some of the characters didn't pull their weight. Jeannie wasn't strong enough to bring this book completely together and even though Beau Brummell was a secondary character, in this story he wasn't as iconic as he needed to be.
There is a mixture of comedy, romance and historic elements.
I feel some of the characters didn't pull their weight. Jeannie wasn't strong enough to bring this book completely together and even though Beau Brummell was a secondary character, in this story he wasn't as iconic as he needed to be.
May 7, 2009
Although I came late to appreciate Carla Kelly, I did love the latest books I read by her. I was naturally eager to read this Mrs. McVinnie but I'm afraid I had a hard time with the heroine.
Jeannie McVinnie receives a letter inviting her to move to London and play nanny to the niece and nephew of captain Summers. Although she knows that the letter is not in reality for her but for her father in law's sister (who has died) she sees it as a way to stop being a burden to her father in law and she thinks she can play nanny as well as the original Jeannie McVinnie.
Of course, things don’t exactly go smoothly and as soon as Jeannie arrives, she is confused with a seamstress and when the truth is revealed not only she has reached the conclusion that she doesn't want to stay but also the captain is furious at the deception.
Jeannie eventually decides to stay, the captain is in obvious need of a hand to help him (and control his temper), his niece and sister in law are frivolous and snobs, his nephew is craving attention and a young illegitimate child that lives in the house doesn't even speak.
Although a Scottish countrywoman Jeannie eventually manages to teach everyone a lesson about what's important in life. She manages to be a success with Beau Brummell despite a trick Larinda and her friends were planning, she transforms Edward into a healthy young boy, takes him about in London, and with her Clare finally starts to speak. In addition, in the middle of it all she and the captain do fall in love.
I think my main problem with this book was that I found the heroine too perfect for my tastes; she never had a bad word about anyone, never a less than pleasant retort (except for the captain) despite Larinda being very deserving of one. It was too much perfection, I love flawed characters and despite her early deception Jeannie McVinnie is a candidate for sainthood except when she is with the captain or with Brummell.
One thing that Kelly usually does well is to show the hardships of daily life. In fact I think she even favors that over any accuracy matters. Her characters are usually found bending much of the rules of polite society ( Summers and Jennie spend much time together alone in the middle of the night...), unfortunately my lack of interest in Jennie stopped me from enjoying her attempts to make everything right for everyone and I wasn't even very moved when her past problems were revealed.
Grade: 3.5/5
Jeannie McVinnie receives a letter inviting her to move to London and play nanny to the niece and nephew of captain Summers. Although she knows that the letter is not in reality for her but for her father in law's sister (who has died) she sees it as a way to stop being a burden to her father in law and she thinks she can play nanny as well as the original Jeannie McVinnie.
Of course, things don’t exactly go smoothly and as soon as Jeannie arrives, she is confused with a seamstress and when the truth is revealed not only she has reached the conclusion that she doesn't want to stay but also the captain is furious at the deception.
Jeannie eventually decides to stay, the captain is in obvious need of a hand to help him (and control his temper), his niece and sister in law are frivolous and snobs, his nephew is craving attention and a young illegitimate child that lives in the house doesn't even speak.
Although a Scottish countrywoman Jeannie eventually manages to teach everyone a lesson about what's important in life. She manages to be a success with Beau Brummell despite a trick Larinda and her friends were planning, she transforms Edward into a healthy young boy, takes him about in London, and with her Clare finally starts to speak. In addition, in the middle of it all she and the captain do fall in love.
I think my main problem with this book was that I found the heroine too perfect for my tastes; she never had a bad word about anyone, never a less than pleasant retort (except for the captain) despite Larinda being very deserving of one. It was too much perfection, I love flawed characters and despite her early deception Jeannie McVinnie is a candidate for sainthood except when she is with the captain or with Brummell.
One thing that Kelly usually does well is to show the hardships of daily life. In fact I think she even favors that over any accuracy matters. Her characters are usually found bending much of the rules of polite society ( Summers and Jennie spend much time together alone in the middle of the night...), unfortunately my lack of interest in Jennie stopped me from enjoying her attempts to make everything right for everyone and I wasn't even very moved when her past problems were revealed.
Grade: 3.5/5
October 6, 2014
Widowed Jeannie McVinnie finagles her way into the household of Captain William Summers, which includes his wacky sister, an eligible-for-marriage niece, and a couple other characters. Capt. Summers is not at all comfortable trying to help his niece with her required intro into London society. Jeannie McVinnie turns out to be the organizing glue that gels this chaotic household. And of course, the Captain and Jeannie become tender friends and fall in love – but even that has its challenges.
I rate the plot three stars, but will boost it to four because of Carla Kelley’s brilliantly humorous dialog between the Captain and Jeannie. Funny stuff! We get to know their hidden personalities and obvious warmth when they get caught up in their banter. Jeannie brings out the humor in Capt. Summers stressed life, and he really comes to enjoy it. I did too! Jeannie is no doormat. She can verbally spar with anyone – and does! She is spunky and refreshingly direct, especially for Regency England.
This new and improved Camel Press edition of “Mrs. McVinnie…” with its beautiful cover and velvety feel will join my almost complete library of Carla Kelley books. Love these newly designed additions!
I rate the plot three stars, but will boost it to four because of Carla Kelley’s brilliantly humorous dialog between the Captain and Jeannie. Funny stuff! We get to know their hidden personalities and obvious warmth when they get caught up in their banter. Jeannie brings out the humor in Capt. Summers stressed life, and he really comes to enjoy it. I did too! Jeannie is no doormat. She can verbally spar with anyone – and does! She is spunky and refreshingly direct, especially for Regency England.
This new and improved Camel Press edition of “Mrs. McVinnie…” with its beautiful cover and velvety feel will join my almost complete library of Carla Kelley books. Love these newly designed additions!
April 24, 2018
There wasn't much of a London season in this book considering the short amount of time the majority of the events took place. Strong connections between characters seemed to happen quite quickly. Some more believable than others. There was plenty to laugh about with how forward and outspoken the Captain and Mrs. McVinnie were in various situations. I was entertained.
April 13, 2010
Carla Kelly where have you been hiding......
A widow looking for a new beginning and a sea Captain ready to cast off. Once again Carla Kelly writes this wonderful love story about friendship, respect and love.
A widow looking for a new beginning and a sea Captain ready to cast off. Once again Carla Kelly writes this wonderful love story about friendship, respect and love.
June 15, 2014
Delightful! A wonderful tale of a Scottish soldier's widow and a British naval captain who unexpectedly fall in love while trying to launch his niece's Season.
I have read this book a number of times, although not for several years. I enjoyed it so much, I immediately re-read it.
I have read this book a number of times, although not for several years. I enjoyed it so much, I immediately re-read it.
October 24, 2013
Beau Brummell makes an amusing appearance. However the star of this book for me is Captain William Summers, a naval hero who runs his chaotic London household as if it is a ship and the residents are his unruly naval staff.
May 25, 2018
Loved it! Loved the banter and the misadventures and the heroine and hero. It was a turn off though when the captain said that he flogs women when they go to his ship. Whatever the inconvenience, that's just cruel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2025
Welp, this one was a little dated. OK, it was a Signet published in 1990. I get it. But there were some scenes that felt awkward and yes, dated, and I struggled to get over that.
It was nice that the cover was pretty accurate for the characters depicted, including what they were wearing in a particular scene. So often that's not the case. And there were some historical aspects of the book that felt quite believable too. The book even included some actual historical characters. Beau Brummel with all his smoothness and arrogance was probably a reasonable depiction, but Lady Jersey came across as a bit too much of an airhead. She may have been known for her (apparently) incessant chatter, but I doubt she was as dumb or gullible as depicted in one scene of the book.
The MMC was a bit problematical for me. William (Will) was a highly regarded and experienced Royal Navy ships's captain, who had even been knighted for his services. He was on leave at home in London, but missing the quarterdeck of his ship where he was used to spending most of his time at sea. Unfortunately he was a bit of a bully, and there were a few scenes where he lost his temper and shouted at other characters. He was later apologetic, and in fact was quite kind-hearted underneath it all. But I didn't like the shouting or the bullying. It may be an accurate reflection of a man who was used to managing his rough and motley crew of seamen, some of whom had been 'impressed' (kidnapped and forcibly made to join the navy - yes the British navy really did that). But it didn't really make for a terrifically appealing MMC. I didn't mind that the author gave him receding/thinning hair - accurate for so many men his age, but romance authors don't usually go there. This touch of authenticity was believable and made him a bit more real.
The MFC, Jeannie, was a redheaded Scotch widow, much younger than Will. She had lost her army husband in the Napoleonic Wars. She wanted to remarry at some point, but not to any kind of military man. She and Will inevitably fell for each other though, of course.
But there was the other problem with this book. A nice friendship developed throughout the book between Will and Jeannie. They were good for each other. But where was the romance? There wasn't enough of it in this book for my tastes. It was a clean read, which I'm fine with, but there were hardly any kisses and very few hugs. Not even much overt longing. Hmm. I think more romance would have helped me enjoy this book much more. I did like some parts of the book, and was able to finish the whole thing. It just overall wasn't that great for me.
It was nice that the cover was pretty accurate for the characters depicted, including what they were wearing in a particular scene. So often that's not the case. And there were some historical aspects of the book that felt quite believable too. The book even included some actual historical characters. Beau Brummel with all his smoothness and arrogance was probably a reasonable depiction, but Lady Jersey came across as a bit too much of an airhead. She may have been known for her (apparently) incessant chatter, but I doubt she was as dumb or gullible as depicted in one scene of the book.
The MMC was a bit problematical for me. William (Will) was a highly regarded and experienced Royal Navy ships's captain, who had even been knighted for his services. He was on leave at home in London, but missing the quarterdeck of his ship where he was used to spending most of his time at sea. Unfortunately he was a bit of a bully, and there were a few scenes where he lost his temper and shouted at other characters. He was later apologetic, and in fact was quite kind-hearted underneath it all. But I didn't like the shouting or the bullying. It may be an accurate reflection of a man who was used to managing his rough and motley crew of seamen, some of whom had been 'impressed' (kidnapped and forcibly made to join the navy - yes the British navy really did that). But it didn't really make for a terrifically appealing MMC. I didn't mind that the author gave him receding/thinning hair - accurate for so many men his age, but romance authors don't usually go there. This touch of authenticity was believable and made him a bit more real.
The MFC, Jeannie, was a redheaded Scotch widow, much younger than Will. She had lost her army husband in the Napoleonic Wars. She wanted to remarry at some point, but not to any kind of military man. She and Will inevitably fell for each other though, of course.
But there was the other problem with this book. A nice friendship developed throughout the book between Will and Jeannie. They were good for each other. But where was the romance? There wasn't enough of it in this book for my tastes. It was a clean read, which I'm fine with, but there were hardly any kisses and very few hugs. Not even much overt longing. Hmm. I think more romance would have helped me enjoy this book much more. I did like some parts of the book, and was able to finish the whole thing. It just overall wasn't that great for me.
November 13, 2022
Discovering a Carla Kelly book I haven't read in the used bookstore is such a treat! Her stories are almost always a cut above the usual, and though this isn't her best it still has all her trademarks.
First we have a feisty heroine, in this case a Scottish widow finds herself in London chaperoning the young niece of a Naval Officer. (Think Captain von Trapp and you have the idea.) Then there's the unusual situation. The set up for this was clever but rather cast our heroine in a less than perfect light, and that too is a Kelly feature. Her heroine are not perfect Misses, but women trying to make the best of difficult situations. I gave Jeannie a pass on how she got to London because the story has to get started somehow.
The secondary characters were not as fleshed out as I'd like, and I found Beau Brummell to be pretty unbelievable. But I enjoyed the Captain and his young family, and watching our heroine navigate falling in love again after losing the husband she loved so much was a pleasure. I appreciate more gradual developing love stories, where there's more characterization and less lusting for the other person. I think this book would have benefitted form more focus and fewer tangents, but I still enjoyed it.
First we have a feisty heroine, in this case a Scottish widow finds herself in London chaperoning the young niece of a Naval Officer. (Think Captain von Trapp and you have the idea.) Then there's the unusual situation. The set up for this was clever but rather cast our heroine in a less than perfect light, and that too is a Kelly feature. Her heroine are not perfect Misses, but women trying to make the best of difficult situations. I gave Jeannie a pass on how she got to London because the story has to get started somehow.
The secondary characters were not as fleshed out as I'd like, and I found Beau Brummell to be pretty unbelievable. But I enjoyed the Captain and his young family, and watching our heroine navigate falling in love again after losing the husband she loved so much was a pleasure. I appreciate more gradual developing love stories, where there's more characterization and less lusting for the other person. I think this book would have benefitted form more focus and fewer tangents, but I still enjoyed it.
January 23, 2025
Carla Kelly’s delightful Regency romance, Mrs. McVinnie’s London Season, came out in 1990. For those of you who enjoy “sweet” (i.e., no explicit sex) romance, this is…I was going to say “the real deal”. Instead I’ll say, this reminds me of some of Georgette Heyer’s funnier novels: The Black Sheep or Frederica, perhaps.
Youngish widow McVinnie leaves Kirkcudbright, Scotland for London under slightly false pretenses for the best of reasons: so her father-in-law, on whom she is dependent, will feel free to travel to a regimental reunion and then visit an old friend. She immediately realizes the house in which she is to be a young lady’s companion is impossible. The young lady is spoiled and silly, her self-indulgent aunt is worse, and the girl’s guardian is an irascible, bellowing Royal Navy captain on leave. You know where this is going, of course, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.
Youngish widow McVinnie leaves Kirkcudbright, Scotland for London under slightly false pretenses for the best of reasons: so her father-in-law, on whom she is dependent, will feel free to travel to a regimental reunion and then visit an old friend. She immediately realizes the house in which she is to be a young lady’s companion is impossible. The young lady is spoiled and silly, her self-indulgent aunt is worse, and the girl’s guardian is an irascible, bellowing Royal Navy captain on leave. You know where this is going, of course, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.
October 16, 2024
One of my favorite Carla Kelly novels!
What happens when a hard headed Scotswoman and a fish-out-of water Naval Captain attempt to steer a young debutant (who doesn’t want either of them around) through her first London season? A kerfluffle! Add in a hypochondriac aunt, a younger brother chafing under his aunt’s restraints, a Portuguese orphan, and the Beau himself and chaos ensues.
Hilarious and tragic in turn, this story Ms Kelly weaves a story of the horror of war, the sometimes frailty of family relationships, the perilous currents of the London Season, and the all-encompassing aspects of love.
Although I prefer the novels featuring the middle and lower class protagonists, this story is one of the earliest of her novels that I read, and I still reread it every once in a while.
What happens when a hard headed Scotswoman and a fish-out-of water Naval Captain attempt to steer a young debutant (who doesn’t want either of them around) through her first London season? A kerfluffle! Add in a hypochondriac aunt, a younger brother chafing under his aunt’s restraints, a Portuguese orphan, and the Beau himself and chaos ensues.
Hilarious and tragic in turn, this story Ms Kelly weaves a story of the horror of war, the sometimes frailty of family relationships, the perilous currents of the London Season, and the all-encompassing aspects of love.
Although I prefer the novels featuring the middle and lower class protagonists, this story is one of the earliest of her novels that I read, and I still reread it every once in a while.
November 25, 2023
Jeannie McVinnie is widow with no intention of marrying again, in spite of her still being young and beautiful, but she knows she needs to do something different with her life. So when a letter arrives asking a different Jeannie McVinnie to come assist during the London Season, she decides to go in her place, but when she arrives and meets the hot-tempered Captain William Summers, she changes her mind. Captain Summers, desperate to have help with his niece, decides to keep Mrs. McVinnie around - even if she doesn't want to - and this Scottish widow may just be way more than his family bargained for.
Such a fun story - clean and clever, and you can't help but love Mrs. McVinnie and her internal monologues.
Such a fun story - clean and clever, and you can't help but love Mrs. McVinnie and her internal monologues.
November 26, 2025
This seemed familiar, I think I have read this before, some time in the nineties. I remembered the impressment and her anger over the fops painting elephants.
I love it. It is funny yet moving, and full of other memorable scenes.
There are small inconsistencies though. I was a bit confused by a character whose name seems to vacillate between Lady Smeath, Lady Taneystone and Lady Summers. But I think it's all the same Agatha. Somebody else is variably Lady Larinda, or Miss Summers. A currant dessert becomes a plum dessert when it grows cold. That sort of thing. Even the MMC gets a misnomer I think. We are told that he is the younger son of a marquess so even if he got knighted for his trouble I reckon he should be styled Lord William, not Sir William.
I love it. It is funny yet moving, and full of other memorable scenes.
There are small inconsistencies though. I was a bit confused by a character whose name seems to vacillate between Lady Smeath, Lady Taneystone and Lady Summers. But I think it's all the same Agatha. Somebody else is variably Lady Larinda, or Miss Summers. A currant dessert becomes a plum dessert when it grows cold. That sort of thing. Even the MMC gets a misnomer I think. We are told that he is the younger son of a marquess so even if he got knighted for his trouble I reckon he should be styled Lord William, not Sir William.
April 17, 2024
I'm struggling to rate this.
Pros: Fun, interesting characters and setup. The barriers to the relationship feel real and weighty. The historical setting is excellent -- this book deals more seriously with the Napoleonic Wars than any other Regency I've read, I think. And really does a deep dive into the life of naval men, which I've not seen before.
Cons: The characters change rapidly and with what seemed like not enough reason -- particularly the captain. There's a part in the middle where everyone thinks the opposite of what's really happening and it makes no sense; what's really happening is very, very obvious. Also, the tone of this novel was really all over the place.
I guess I'll go with 3.5 rounded up.
Pros: Fun, interesting characters and setup. The barriers to the relationship feel real and weighty. The historical setting is excellent -- this book deals more seriously with the Napoleonic Wars than any other Regency I've read, I think. And really does a deep dive into the life of naval men, which I've not seen before.
Cons: The characters change rapidly and with what seemed like not enough reason -- particularly the captain. There's a part in the middle where everyone thinks the opposite of what's really happening and it makes no sense; what's really happening is very, very obvious. Also, the tone of this novel was really all over the place.
I guess I'll go with 3.5 rounded up.
December 31, 2023
3.5 stars really. I do love a Carla Kelly book, and I had put off reading this one because I’m usually not a fan when Beau Brummell is a prominent character in a Regency book. However, it didn’t drive me too crazy when he was there and I did enjoy the story and the characters. Though you couldn’t help but love Jeannie, she did seem a little too perfect sometimes. And although the cover is a step up from the original, I do wish her older books had better covers. (And anyway, to me the man on the cover looks more like Tom than the Captain, oops!)
April 17, 2023
It started with a request for nanny and a case of mistaken identity. I love the Scottish widow and her new household. Challenges among the members of the household and some secrets. The story kept me riveted and I was rooting for our plainspoken lassie. Carla Kelly is the reason I read Historical Romance -- so fun to read about the steps and turns of the journey. Very classy (and humorous). Bravo.
October 29, 2017
Vintage Kelly
We are back with the sailors of the Channel blockade again. Captain Sir William Summers has been beached by his brother-in-law at the Admiralty so he can oversee his niece's come-out. More at sea than on board his ship, he calls on his old nurse to come and help. But the Jeannie McGinnis he gets is not the one he is expecting.
We are back with the sailors of the Channel blockade again. Captain Sir William Summers has been beached by his brother-in-law at the Admiralty so he can oversee his niece's come-out. More at sea than on board his ship, he calls on his old nurse to come and help. But the Jeannie McGinnis he gets is not the one he is expecting.
May 6, 2019
2.5 stars.
Not exactly what I expected out of a Carla Kelly book. Quite a jumpy story. Had to figure out many things on my own. It could have been refined further because I couldn't just get the feel of it. It could have been a brilliant work but unfortunately was not upto the mark. A quick read if anyone wants one.
Not exactly what I expected out of a Carla Kelly book. Quite a jumpy story. Had to figure out many things on my own. It could have been refined further because I couldn't just get the feel of it. It could have been a brilliant work but unfortunately was not upto the mark. A quick read if anyone wants one.
April 27, 2020
Once again, Carla Kelly does it! I am relishing these 90s RRN (regency romance novels). The build does not get too frustrating (just talk to each other about your feelings!!) and the supporting characters add to the story.
November 3, 2016
A Regency romance with depth. It's a bit idealistic and shows its age in places, but there were way more twists and turns that I expected and left me feeling very satisfied. I especially liked how Kelly showed Jeannie falling in love again, without diminishing her first marriage in any way.
December 31, 2017
Fantastic
By turns funny, poignant, horrifying, compassionate and honest, this is a book to stir not just the emotions but the soul. Beautifully written so understanding of human nature, this book is not “just” anything. Highly recommended.
By turns funny, poignant, horrifying, compassionate and honest, this is a book to stir not just the emotions but the soul. Beautifully written so understanding of human nature, this book is not “just” anything. Highly recommended.
June 5, 2019
A touch more romantic tension and H/H interaction would have increased my satisfaction with this story. It was a long book for a traditional Regency and for me the spark between Will and Jeannie simmered on the back burner way too long.
July 29, 2019
A great romp. Jeannie McVinnie decides to impersonate a much older Jeannie McVinnie to get a trip to London. She encounters Captain William Summers, a Navy captain on shore leave. Many sparks fly amid much entertainment. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2020
Great clean read
This was a fabulous story. I love how the author creates complex stories. When I think the story is almost complete she throws in another section too the story. Great writing.
This was a fabulous story. I love how the author creates complex stories. When I think the story is almost complete she throws in another section too the story. Great writing.
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