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Love Takes Root #3
The Fellingham Minx
Miss Evelyn Fellingham does not need to see the admiration in the Earl of Halsey’s eyes to know she is attractive—most men find her violet eyes and porcelain skin irresistible—but she wants to. Yet every attempt to impress him with her playful wit and lively banter ends in sullen silence, for she is too much in awe of the handsome lord to form a coherent sentence. No doubt he thinks she’s a beautiful ninnyhammer.
Indeed, that’s exactly what the earl thinks, and he dismisses her as yet another simpering society miss.
Then an out-of-control hobby-horse in Hyde Park knocks her over in front of everyone, including Halsey. The mortified young lady, her cheek bruised and her dress stained, can barely bring herself to raise her eyes from the ground—which is a shame. For if she did, she might finally see the light of admiration begin to glow in the capricious lord’s eye.
Indeed, that’s exactly what the earl thinks, and he dismisses her as yet another simpering society miss.
Then an out-of-control hobby-horse in Hyde Park knocks her over in front of everyone, including Halsey. The mortified young lady, her cheek bruised and her dress stained, can barely bring herself to raise her eyes from the ground—which is a shame. For if she did, she might finally see the light of admiration begin to glow in the capricious lord’s eye.
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2014
386 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Messina
54 books661 followersLynn Messina is author of more than a dozen novels, including the best-selling Fashionistas, which has been translated into sixteen languages, and a series of Regency romance novels. Her essays have appeared in Self, American Baby and the New York Times Modern Love column. She lives in New York City with her sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 19, 2018
Cute novella about a society beauty who becomes dull and prim around the one suitor she actually cares about. Best to have read Miss Fellingham's Rebellion first.
I read this story after checking out the reviews to see that it was a clean read (Miss Fellingham's Rebellion was as well). Not the case with some of the other books in the series.
I read this story after checking out the reviews to see that it was a clean read (Miss Fellingham's Rebellion was as well). Not the case with some of the other books in the series.
September 17, 2022
Lynn Messina can write a charming story in 200 pages, so it’s no surprise that she can give us a novella with her usually ridiculousness and sweetness in 60.
This is a bit of a continuation of the last book, which GoodReads levels as 2.5, but that book should really be 3rd with this novella being 3.5. No matter.
The hilarious banter and silly situations you expect from Messina are here. We even start with Emma’s Yorkshire cousin running Evelyn down on his hobble horse. The resulting scene is so ridiculous that Evelyn draws a cartoon about it.
We get to see several characters from the last book and development in the Earl of Halsey.
Was there foreshadowing that Phillip and Melissa might be a good match when they’re older? Hm.
This is a bit of a continuation of the last book, which GoodReads levels as 2.5, but that book should really be 3rd with this novella being 3.5. No matter.
The hilarious banter and silly situations you expect from Messina are here. We even start with Emma’s Yorkshire cousin running Evelyn down on his hobble horse. The resulting scene is so ridiculous that Evelyn draws a cartoon about it.
We get to see several characters from the last book and development in the Earl of Halsey.
Was there foreshadowing that Phillip and Melissa might be a good match when they’re older? Hm.
November 2, 2019
First let me say that The Fellingham Minx is a perfectly lovely novella. The characters are interesting and there is amusing banter between them. The premise is amusingly ridiculous, being run down by a hobby horse in Hyde Park in full few of the ton at the fashionable hour. But it is quite a short novella and so there is little room for fleshed out characters that undergo any real growth. For example the strength Evelyn showed took me quite by surprise, as did the rapid change between her and Halsey. But this is the nature of a novella: there's only so many pages to work with. For the limited number of pages available, this was a great novella.
To have a clearer grasp of the trouble that Evelyn is having with Finchley, you really need to read Miss Fellingham's Rebellion. Otherwise as you read you keep feeling as though you have somehow missed something. I felt as though I was supposed to know the backstory by the way things were being elluded to. Which frankly made me feel quite annoyed when I got to the end of the novella only to find a damn excerpt to the preceeding book. A book which is not even a part of this series! Because somehow it makes more sense for that book to be a stand-alone, whereas as this book is quite senselessly sandwiched into the middle of this series where it has no reason to be? What on earth was the publisher thinking? Infuriating.
As I indicated in my rant, this book is part of the Love Takes Root series. But you need not have read any of the other books in this series in order to read this novella. Truly the only connection that I see is that some of the characters make an appreance. A connection which very obviously is NOT strong enough to warrant dropping it into this series. Emma has a very brief appearance, maybe a couple paragraphs. And Philip appears twice, as he was the clumsy driver of the hobby horse that struck Evelyn.
One more rant and then I swear I'll stop. The first two books in the series are about the Harlow sisters and are titled accordingly. The two stories even fall in line with the "love takes 'root'" pun that is the series' title. At the end of the second book Miss Bolingbroke is mentioned by name and a meeting arranged. So we clearly see how her story will fit into the series. And the fourth book is titled The Bolingbroke Chit. It is naturally intended to follow directly after the second book in the series. THEREFORE THIS NOVELLA HAS NO BUSINESS BEING IN THIS SERIES. Nothing botanical happend whatsoever and doesn't warrant the pun! Put it in a series with the book about the other Fellingham sister! Ugh, okay. I'll stop.
Anyway... decent novella, but very short. Even by novella standards. Once you take away the preview to Miss Fellingham's Rebellion, that leaves only about 50 pages of the 78 that are dedicated to the novella. Even if my ranting did suggest otherwise, this is a well-written and enjoyable novella.
To have a clearer grasp of the trouble that Evelyn is having with Finchley, you really need to read Miss Fellingham's Rebellion. Otherwise as you read you keep feeling as though you have somehow missed something. I felt as though I was supposed to know the backstory by the way things were being elluded to. Which frankly made me feel quite annoyed when I got to the end of the novella only to find a damn excerpt to the preceeding book. A book which is not even a part of this series! Because somehow it makes more sense for that book to be a stand-alone, whereas as this book is quite senselessly sandwiched into the middle of this series where it has no reason to be? What on earth was the publisher thinking? Infuriating.
As I indicated in my rant, this book is part of the Love Takes Root series. But you need not have read any of the other books in this series in order to read this novella. Truly the only connection that I see is that some of the characters make an appreance. A connection which very obviously is NOT strong enough to warrant dropping it into this series. Emma has a very brief appearance, maybe a couple paragraphs. And Philip appears twice, as he was the clumsy driver of the hobby horse that struck Evelyn.
One more rant and then I swear I'll stop. The first two books in the series are about the Harlow sisters and are titled accordingly. The two stories even fall in line with the "love takes 'root'" pun that is the series' title. At the end of the second book Miss Bolingbroke is mentioned by name and a meeting arranged. So we clearly see how her story will fit into the series. And the fourth book is titled The Bolingbroke Chit. It is naturally intended to follow directly after the second book in the series. THEREFORE THIS NOVELLA HAS NO BUSINESS BEING IN THIS SERIES. Nothing botanical happend whatsoever and doesn't warrant the pun! Put it in a series with the book about the other Fellingham sister! Ugh, okay. I'll stop.
Anyway... decent novella, but very short. Even by novella standards. Once you take away the preview to Miss Fellingham's Rebellion, that leaves only about 50 pages of the 78 that are dedicated to the novella. Even if my ranting did suggest otherwise, this is a well-written and enjoyable novella.
April 28, 2019
This had decent development for a short, but only because it piggybacked off another full length story that featured this heroine's sister. Including the heroine's sister and the cousin-in-law of the heroine of the first book of this series was a nice touch. However, I wasn't fully convinced at this heroine's transformation from a vain and insipid drama queen to someone more introspective, but then again, the heroine stated that she had only changed partway. The relationship and feelings developed a bit too suddenly to be believed, so I give this two stars.
Safety
Safety
January 30, 2015
Evelyn Fellingham can flutter her eyelashes and get what she wants. She has had numerous proposals and turned them all down. She plans to marry soon though for she is already 19. She has her sights set on Lord Halsey but she becomes tongue-tied when around him. When she is run over by a velocopide in Hyde Park while out with Halsey, he discovers another side to Miss Fellingham. Could it be she finds him unappealing? No woman has ever not wanted to be noticed by him and Evelyn's behavior puzzles him. Halsey is determined to find out if Miss Fellingham is worth his time even if it means doing something crazy.
This is a companion novella to a series. It spoils the plot of the previous book which I had not read but want to now! The writing is lively in tone and plot elements are Georgette Heyer-esque. The only major problem with the plot is that there's too much backstory told and not enough showing of current events. This is caused by the liimitations of a short story. Otherwise I enjoyed the author's writing style. Evelyn is a fun character and I think she is someone I'd like to know though we are very different. Halsey is either a jerk or a great hero depending on how you feel about heroes randomly kissing heroines they barely know. He comes across as a nice gentleman though and a good guy. I'd like to know more about him.
This is a sweet Regency but there is a nasty villain and kissing with tongues.
This is a companion novella to a series. It spoils the plot of the previous book which I had not read but want to now! The writing is lively in tone and plot elements are Georgette Heyer-esque. The only major problem with the plot is that there's too much backstory told and not enough showing of current events. This is caused by the liimitations of a short story. Otherwise I enjoyed the author's writing style. Evelyn is a fun character and I think she is someone I'd like to know though we are very different. Halsey is either a jerk or a great hero depending on how you feel about heroes randomly kissing heroines they barely know. He comes across as a nice gentleman though and a good guy. I'd like to know more about him.
This is a sweet Regency but there is a nasty villain and kissing with tongues.
September 7, 2020
Cute but super short and suffers from a disconnect
I had a hard time rating this one. It was cute but the entire time I felt like I had missed another book. I couldnt understand how it fit in this series as we hadn't been introduced to the main characters, nor was there any horticultural connection at all. Most importantly, there was so much backstory that you felt like you should know/have gotten from another book and yet hadn't. It was confusing, frustrating, and distracting and then at the END of this book is a sample chapter from the PREQUEL that you were lacking the entire time EXCEPT IT IS NOT EVEN PART OF THE SERIES OR NOTED AS CONNECTED IN ANY WAY BY THE PUBLISHER!!! If I had been reading a paper copy I would have thrown it across the room. It makes absolutely no sense for this novella to be in this series (and the other book to be unconnected)! There is a very brief appearance of two characters from previous Love Takes Root books, and that is the only connection to be found to the series. I have not even read Miss Fellingham's Rebellion, but I still highly recommend you read it before reading this novella as this is really just an epilogue short to it and otherwise suffers from the lack, whereas you wont have any problems if you haven't read the previous books in this series.
All of that being said, the story is a nice lighthearted romp, if too quick a read. (The author warns you it is short, though I wish she had mentioned the other thing) Messina has a fun and engaging tone, and the rapid changes of pov that bother me in the first two books are better here. There is little interaction between the H/h though and the resolution of the relationship seems abrupt and without any reasonable development of plot or character.
I am confounded with works from Ms Mesina. I do enjoy them, even though there are definite flaws and frustrations.
I had a hard time rating this one. It was cute but the entire time I felt like I had missed another book. I couldnt understand how it fit in this series as we hadn't been introduced to the main characters, nor was there any horticultural connection at all. Most importantly, there was so much backstory that you felt like you should know/have gotten from another book and yet hadn't. It was confusing, frustrating, and distracting and then at the END of this book is a sample chapter from the PREQUEL that you were lacking the entire time EXCEPT IT IS NOT EVEN PART OF THE SERIES OR NOTED AS CONNECTED IN ANY WAY BY THE PUBLISHER!!! If I had been reading a paper copy I would have thrown it across the room. It makes absolutely no sense for this novella to be in this series (and the other book to be unconnected)! There is a very brief appearance of two characters from previous Love Takes Root books, and that is the only connection to be found to the series. I have not even read Miss Fellingham's Rebellion, but I still highly recommend you read it before reading this novella as this is really just an epilogue short to it and otherwise suffers from the lack, whereas you wont have any problems if you haven't read the previous books in this series.
All of that being said, the story is a nice lighthearted romp, if too quick a read. (The author warns you it is short, though I wish she had mentioned the other thing) Messina has a fun and engaging tone, and the rapid changes of pov that bother me in the first two books are better here. There is little interaction between the H/h though and the resolution of the relationship seems abrupt and without any reasonable development of plot or character.
I am confounded with works from Ms Mesina. I do enjoy them, even though there are definite flaws and frustrations.
May 4, 2019
A nice story but I’m exceedingly glad that I found it on Kindle Unlimited.
The story is similar to her others except one constantly feels like they’ve missed the beginning and the ending is so precipitous as to feel fake.
I might have even gasped WHAT? when I clicked to the next page and discovered it was over!
The writing, characterizations, and dialogue were perfect as always, I just wish it was a full length story instead of a blip
The story is similar to her others except one constantly feels like they’ve missed the beginning and the ending is so precipitous as to feel fake.
I might have even gasped WHAT? when I clicked to the next page and discovered it was over!
The writing, characterizations, and dialogue were perfect as always, I just wish it was a full length story instead of a blip
November 4, 2023
Miss Fellingham becomes so tongue tied whenever she is in the presence of
Lord Hasley he must think her a ninny hammer (I love that word) and indeed he does. Until he finally sees under her shyness.
Lord Hasley he must think her a ninny hammer (I love that word) and indeed he does. Until he finally sees under her shyness.
February 21, 2016
I am so confused about this book. I cant decide if I like it or not. what I do know is that I am disappointed in it. It is nothing like the first and second book in this series. It was rather a short story. and very confusing at that. especially the beginning of the book. I had a hard time following the story.
Also this book is out of sequence in Love takes root series. If you check this series The Fellingham Minx is the third book and there is no mention of
. I came across that one because the author included the first chapter at the end of this book. It seems like she wrote this book first and then thought of that; even though this story takes place before
happens. It made me very confused.
Also this book is out of sequence in Love takes root series. If you check this series The Fellingham Minx is the third book and there is no mention of
. I came across that one because the author included the first chapter at the end of this book. It seems like she wrote this book first and then thought of that; even though this story takes place before
happens. It made me very confused.
December 8, 2014
There are not many short stories that I have enjoyed as much as this one.... This story was great. Fun antecedents, witty humor and to the point.
April 6, 2016
This novella is 74 pages long.........it took me 3 months to finish.
Read
March 12, 2024Short and sweet. I seriously do not mind the length. It would be a miracle if Lynn Messina managed to squeeze out a longer story out of Miss Evelyn Fellingham. She is on the road to redemption after her introduction as one of the most insufferable brats of the Regency era in the previous book. Don’t get me wrong - she is still appallingly self-confident and conceited. Until she isn’t ... which is comical. And comedy is where Ms. Messina’s talent truly shines. The more absurd the better!
Some old friends reappear. In fact, Emma (now the Duchess of Trent) and Philip (the not so bumbling Trent cousin) start off the proceedings with Philip sprouting again at a crucial moment. Is there a book about Phillip? There should be one. It could be a picture book. Or something Wodehouseian? He is probably Bertie’s ancestor. If not a blood relative, then is spirit. The business with the hobby horse and being pummeled with an umbrella would fit perfectly in the Jeeves and Wooster opus.
Some old friends reappear. In fact, Emma (now the Duchess of Trent) and Philip (the not so bumbling Trent cousin) start off the proceedings with Philip sprouting again at a crucial moment. Is there a book about Phillip? There should be one. It could be a picture book. Or something Wodehouseian? He is probably Bertie’s ancestor. If not a blood relative, then is spirit. The business with the hobby horse and being pummeled with an umbrella would fit perfectly in the Jeeves and Wooster opus.
February 4, 2021
I'm annoyed that I read this book before Miss Fellingham's Rebellion, since this is a direct sequel to it, and the recaps spoiled that one for me - something I try to avoid at all costs. I might have figured it out if I hadn't been prompted to download this one directly after The Other Harlow Girl on my Kindle. I wish I'd come to Goodreads first, since others clearly mention it here.
December 3, 2021
Not to be recommended
I have adored all of Lynn Messina’s works so far, which, I have found to be witting, clever, and brimming with wonderful asides and endearing female-male interactions and bon mots.
I have to assume that the author was simply fulfilling part of a publishing contract by offering us this 85 page novella, but I, in good conscience cannot recommend it to anyone else.
I was going to use one of Messina’s own cookery references to describe how highly whipped, frothy and without substance I found this work, but I cannot.
Even the most outwardly appealing meringue must be allowed to fall in upon itself without any help from a very disappointed reader.
I have adored all of Lynn Messina’s works so far, which, I have found to be witting, clever, and brimming with wonderful asides and endearing female-male interactions and bon mots.
I have to assume that the author was simply fulfilling part of a publishing contract by offering us this 85 page novella, but I, in good conscience cannot recommend it to anyone else.
I was going to use one of Messina’s own cookery references to describe how highly whipped, frothy and without substance I found this work, but I cannot.
Even the most outwardly appealing meringue must be allowed to fall in upon itself without any help from a very disappointed reader.
May 28, 2018
The Bellingham Minx: A Regency Novella (Love Takes Foot Book 2)
The courtship of Evelyn and Huslsey. The Earl of Haslsey is looking for a wife. When he took over the earldom his father had all but bankrupt the estate. After years of working hard he has the estate in order and All the mother of London want their daughter to be the next countess but he dose not want a milk and toast miss.
Evelyn is not a milk and toast miss but every time she is around Hasksey she became one. One Haley see the real woman she is and he wants her.light on the story line but a okay story.
The courtship of Evelyn and Huslsey. The Earl of Haslsey is looking for a wife. When he took over the earldom his father had all but bankrupt the estate. After years of working hard he has the estate in order and All the mother of London want their daughter to be the next countess but he dose not want a milk and toast miss.
Evelyn is not a milk and toast miss but every time she is around Hasksey she became one. One Haley see the real woman she is and he wants her.light on the story line but a okay story.
September 11, 2021
The author literally tells the story
Very little dialogue and waaaay too much explaining. Read, a very cute story, Miss Fellingham's Rebellion since there are sooo many references to that book you may as well read the original instead of the re-recaps. This short book was not worth the bother. It would have been a great short story to put at the end of Miss Fellingham's Rebellion if all the long fanciful explanations were eliminated.
Very little dialogue and waaaay too much explaining. Read, a very cute story, Miss Fellingham's Rebellion since there are sooo many references to that book you may as well read the original instead of the re-recaps. This short book was not worth the bother. It would have been a great short story to put at the end of Miss Fellingham's Rebellion if all the long fanciful explanations were eliminated.
October 11, 2020
A cute, fun short novella
Full of witty repartee and clever characters. I enjoy this author's humor and witty characters. The only issue I have with the book is the numbering scheme of the series. This book.should be read after Miss Fellingham's Rebellion or the back story makes little sense. I'm not sure why the books are misnumbered.
Full of witty repartee and clever characters. I enjoy this author's humor and witty characters. The only issue I have with the book is the numbering scheme of the series. This book.should be read after Miss Fellingham's Rebellion or the back story makes little sense. I'm not sure why the books are misnumbered.
October 16, 2020
This one was hard to get into the tempo of the main character. She seemed flighty and vain. Not my favorite to read about. I eventually got the beat and fell into step. It will never be a much loved, for since it was a novella there was no time for the development of characters that I so love eq. Beatrice and her beloved Duke or Emma (sigh). Nonetheless taken at face value it was cute?
February 1, 2022
This is the second book in series I've read. Enjoyed the first so much immediately ordered and began reading this one. May stay up late and read the next one. .The diversity of personalities, the sincerity of their family loyalty and the generous humor all make for a delightful read. Satisfying ending another positive ! A perfect COVID counter.
June 16, 2022
Pop-U-lar
I am on the fence about this series. I enjoy the Beatrice Hyde Clare books by this author, but these are trialsome. Emma is the worst pick me kind of character that I genuinely dislike and to have her repeatedly turn up like a bad penny cast a pall over my enjoyment of all of the other books - the prequel excluded. I preferred Lady Agony to the dullard duchess.
I am on the fence about this series. I enjoy the Beatrice Hyde Clare books by this author, but these are trialsome. Emma is the worst pick me kind of character that I genuinely dislike and to have her repeatedly turn up like a bad penny cast a pall over my enjoyment of all of the other books - the prequel excluded. I preferred Lady Agony to the dullard duchess.
August 27, 2023
Read: April 2023
Reviewed: August 2023
I have no memory of this book at all except for some vague recollections, so this rating and review is purely on instinct and the others in this series.
They're all great and really, what's is going to take to read this wonderful little short story written by a woman who excels at ridiculous regencyrom-coms?
Reviewed: August 2023
I have no memory of this book at all except for some vague recollections, so this rating and review is purely on instinct and the others in this series.
They're all great and really, what's is going to take to read this wonderful little short story written by a woman who excels at ridiculous regencyrom-coms?
September 18, 2018
Wanted a longer read.
I enjoyed this story but for me it was too short, hence 4 rather than 5 stars. Perhaps if I had read her sister’s romance in which both Evelyn and Halsey featured, I would have been more invested in the characters. As it was I was left wanting more.
I enjoyed this story but for me it was too short, hence 4 rather than 5 stars. Perhaps if I had read her sister’s romance in which both Evelyn and Halsey featured, I would have been more invested in the characters. As it was I was left wanting more.
August 11, 2021
Boring
Repetitive as well as redundant. Nothing to see here move on. A paint by numbers story No mystery or suspense. A paint by numbers romance.The only saving grace was that the tale was mercifully short.
Repetitive as well as redundant. Nothing to see here move on. A paint by numbers story No mystery or suspense. A paint by numbers romance.The only saving grace was that the tale was mercifully short.
December 5, 2021
Good read
This book is an offshoot from the prequel "The Rebellion of Miss Fellingham" and pertains to her sister, Evelyn. It's funny, romantic, and has one tiny bit of danger. Its short and sweet. Recommend
This book is an offshoot from the prequel "The Rebellion of Miss Fellingham" and pertains to her sister, Evelyn. It's funny, romantic, and has one tiny bit of danger. Its short and sweet. Recommend
December 10, 2021
Haha, the description of this story is kind of dramatic and silly. It's actually a really sweet novella. I loved seeing Evelyn overcome who she was in the former book because she needed to be a better person in order to be a more likeable protagonist.
February 7, 2022
sweet
A short little read sprinkled with a lot of humor and e ding with a happy ever after, once the real Evelyn is revealed to Helsley. No details left out despite the short story
A short little read sprinkled with a lot of humor and e ding with a happy ever after, once the real Evelyn is revealed to Helsley. No details left out despite the short story
March 2, 2019
Super dull and boring...
February 29, 2020
3.5
A nice, enjoyable quick read.
A nice, enjoyable quick read.
June 14, 2020
As a novella, there isn’t time for the character development I like to see. It is still a fun, funny, and enjoyable light read.
November 7, 2020
What will happen to Liza
Will she resolve the issues of selling. Commissions. Will she wind up in New gate. Can Catherine come up with a plan to save her?
Will she resolve the issues of selling. Commissions. Will she wind up in New gate. Can Catherine come up with a plan to save her?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews