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Miss Merton's Last Hope

(Miss Mayhem #4)

Heather Boyd (Goodreads Author)

3.85 · Rating details · 60 ratings · 14 reviews

Over the years, Melanie Merton has used every trick and ruse to repel overeager gentlemen callers without ever revealing the real reason she won’t say yes to an offer of marriage. When neighbor Walter George jumps to her defense against slurs cast by suitor number twelve, he also pries into her past—uncovering the circumstances around a tragic loss in her childhood and her ...more

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Published October 13th 2015 by Heather Boyd

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2015 Historical Romance (July - December)

265 books — 491 voters

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· 60 ratings · 14 reviews

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Oct 09, 2015 Isha Coleman rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads, netgalley

Looks can be deceiving. Melanie Merton is a conundrum. The "Ice Queen" of society perplexes many. Through no fault of her own she never lacks for male attention. People see her outer beauty but are put off by her disposition. To Melanie the outside is just window dressing, it does not hide the ugliness that she has struggled to overcome for years. Events in her past have caused her to close off her emotions. The riddle of Melanie Merton intrigues Walter George. With understanding, patience, care ...more

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Sep 03, 2015 Heather rated it it was amazing

Heather Boyd has done it again. She has manage to write another story even better than her last.

Melanie Merton is is an uptight, set in her ways woman who has spurned 11 no 12 suitors than have proposed marriage. She doesn't want to marry or have children. she has secrets from her childhood that she has kept locked inside and cause her to not like being touched. Now that her brother has married and his wife has taken over the household duties Melanie is lost and doesn't know what to do with her ...more

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Sep 08, 2015 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-netgalley

This is book four in the "Miss Mayhem" by Heather Boyd. I have read book three "Miss Radley's Third Dare" but I have not yet read the other in the series. They do have a few reference to book three but it was not enough or put in a way that would not make this a stand alone book. This book does not leave you hanging to finish the story..which I like. I enjoy Heather Boyd writing and she does her book a little different than a lot of Historical Romances..which is a nice change sometimes. This is ...more

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Mar 17, 2019 Sieravonne rated it it was ok

Shelves: heather-boyd

For me, it didn't make sense that Walter knew that Melanie wasn't the women for him but kissed her. He knew that Melanie wasn't the woman for him but he also knew that she was in love with him since the time he was in love with her.

I think the ending would be better if Melanie changed her mind about not wanting children and will be glad to give Walter children because he was a great man and it would be a pity for him to miss the chance to be a great father. ...more

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Sep 17, 2015 Crystal rated it it was amazing

I have to be completely honest with you all. At the beginning of the Miss Mayhem series I did not like Melanie Merton at all. I thought she was a rude interfering snob that really needed to mind her own business. I may have had the urge to slap this young lady a time or two. Now after reading Miss Merton's Last Hope, I feel horrible that had those terrible feelings for this troubled young lady. If I were to issue an award to the book that most changed my opinion of a character it would be Miss M I have to be completely honest with you all. At the beginning of the Miss Mayhem series I did not like Melanie Merton at all. I thought she was a rude interfering snob that really needed to mind her own business. I may have had the urge to slap this young lady a time or two. Now after reading Miss Merton's Last Hope, I feel horrible that had those terrible feelings for this troubled young lady. If I were to issue an award to the book that most changed my opinion of a character it would be Miss Merton's Last Hope.

Melanie Merton experienced something in her past that explains a lot of things. I found it amazing how a few little details could so completely change my opinion. Melanie suffered a dramatic event that left her with a lot of emotional scars. No one, that is until Walter George, understood why Melanie acted the way she did. I honestly bonded with Miss Merton in this book. Under that tough exterior and sometimes harsh words laid the heart of a kind and loving soul. WHO KNEW?!? I certainly did not expect it.

Walter George is a kind, caring gentleman that uses his wealth for good. He is behind a lot of good deeds. He is protective of those he cares about and is a good friend.

Melanie finds herself attracted to her brother's dear friend and neighbor. However she is determined not to marry. She has turned down many and do mean many of suitors that have asked for her hand in marriage. Melanie has her reasons but she doesn't wish to disclose them to just anyone.

Walter and Melanie both have deep feelings for each other. They have known each other since childhood There has been a spark of attraction that just can not be ignored no matter how much they try.

I don't want to tell you too much about this intriguing ending to the Miss Mayhem series. If you have read any of the previous books in the series then you really need to read Miss Merton's story. If you haven't read the previous books in the series, never fear, each of the Miss Mayhem stories will stand alone just fine. You may want to grab them all though. They are terribly addictive and easily devoured in a short amount of time.

I have a deep affection for Heather Boyd's historical romances. This talented author has yet again written a deeply moving story with passionate characters that kept me entertained and made my kindle sizzle. I found myself completely engrossed in Miss Merton's story. With each twist that was unveiled I flipped the pages faster to see what could possible happen next. I was so completely captivated that I reached the end before I knew it. That is when the sad reality hit. This was it, this is the last chapter in the Miss Mayhem series. My beloved friends have all had their stories told and now are on with their lives. My only hope is that maybe a character or two will find their way into another one of Ms. Boyd's wonderful stories.

I will be anxiously awaiting the release of Ms. Boyd's next release. Her books are always on the top of my must have and must have now list.

I was given the opportunity to read this great book so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my great pleasure to share my thoughts with you on Miss Merton's Last Hope. ...more

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Oct 11, 2015 Connie rated it liked it

Melanie Merton lives in Brighton with her brother, Valentine, and his new bride, Julia. Melanie’s parents are quite wealthy and also quite boring which is why she enjoys being with Valentine and Julia. Valentine is hoping that Melanie will finally accept a proposal of marriage and find happiness. However, she has just turned down her 12th proposal and her brother is quite exasperated with her. She is beginning to get a reputation for leading men on which is completely untrue. She has a large dow Melanie Merton lives in Brighton with her brother, Valentine, and his new bride, Julia. Melanie’s parents are quite wealthy and also quite boring which is why she enjoys being with Valentine and Julia. Valentine is hoping that Melanie will finally accept a proposal of marriage and find happiness. However, she has just turned down her 12th proposal and her brother is quite exasperated with her. She is beginning to get a reputation for leading men on which is completely untrue. She has a large dowry but simply does not want to get married, nor does she want to have children. She simply has an aversion to anyone touching her. It is thought that this must stem back to something in her childhood. It appears that she changed after her beloved governess, Mrs. Anderson, passed away. She is punishing herself for something she may have done by pushing other people away. But Melanie is mum on that subject and will not discuss it.

Her neighbor, Walter George, and his sister, Imogen, have been friends for many years. Walter is a very wealthy man and is kind and generous as well. His good works make him a very appealing person. He recently gave a home to a new widow with a large number of children.

Melanie has always loved to sew garments for children and has quite a supply of them tucked away for her friends to have when they are expecting a child.

Walter is quite fond of Melanie and when she confides to him that she does not want to marry because she does not want children, he tells her that there are ways to stop conception. As they become closer, Melanie slowly thaws and allows herself to find affection toward Walter. But what can the future hold for them?

This was a nice story but I had a difficult time understanding why Melanie felt the need to build a wall around herself for what she had supposedly done. I can honestly say that I did not like her character and to me, she had very few redeeming qualities. Walter was my favorite character and his patience with Melanie is exemplary.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley ...more

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Oct 12, 2015 Nikita rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, regency

Melanie Merton has acquired the unfortunate reputation as Brighton’s coldest woman with an unrestrained and unkind tongue who has also tuned down no less than 12 suitors. Now that her brother is married, Melanie has turned over the role of Mistress of the House to her new sister-in-law which leaves Melanie without much to do. What no one seems to understand is Melanie means well with her seemingly unkind remarks – years of repression and conformity to society’s expectations has left her with a c ...more

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Oct 05, 2015 JG rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-netgalley, can-be-read-as-stand-alone, historical, romance, series

This is the fourth book in Heather Boyd's Miss Mayhem series, where the heroines are unique young ladies of their times. Melanie Merton is proper and uptight but underneath it all lies a sensitive heart who longs for affection but doesn't feel she's entitled to her own happily ever after. For one thing, she can't bear to be touched much more to be kissed by would be suitors. In fact she's on to her twelfth rejected marriage proposal. But Walter George seems to be different. Walter has set his si ...more

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Oct 02, 2015 Angela rated it really liked it

I have read all of the Miss Mayhem series and was worried that Melanie would not be perceived favorably in her own book. In the earlier books she was the “girl you like to hate” but unbeknownst to us readers she had her reasons. In this book we find out why she is standoffish and seen as being intolerant of others. She wants that distance from everyone but does not want others to know her true feelings. Her story is kind of sad but fortunately Walter George is there to love her and pick her up w ...more

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Sep 06, 2015 Deb Diem rated it it was amazing

Miss Merton's Last Hope by Heather Boyd is a fun read. This well written book is loaded with wonderful, lovable characters, drama, humor and spice. Melanie and Walter's story brought Melanie's past into the story and make her a much more likable character. I enjoy Ms Boyd's writing style and look forward to reading more from this author. Miss Merton's Last Hope is book 4 in the Miss Mayhem series but can be read as a stand alone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I received a copy of t ...more

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Oct 13, 2015 Tammy rated it really liked it

Melanie has no plans to marry and to her brother’s disappointment has turned down yet another marriage proposal. Walter is a friend to both Valentine and Melanie and when he discovers Melanie’s secret can understand why she doesn’t want to marry and have children. As the bond grows closer between Melanie and Walter will the two be able to find a future together. An enjoyable historical romance. I admit Melanie is not my favorite heroine. I did enjoy the story and I thought Walter was wonderful. ...more

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Sep 08, 2015 Melissa rated it it was amazing

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ms. Boyd has written another great story. I wanted Melanie to have her happily ever after. Melanie needed a man who loved her for who she was. Walter was the perfect guy for her. He had known her since childhood. He saw her as Melanie and not as the person she presented to others. It was Aldo great to find out what made her tick. A tragedy in early childhood can cloud your outlook on life and affect it.

I am also happy ...more

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Oct 25, 2015 Elaine rated it really liked it

Shelves: fave-authors, kindlefire, regency

Good story. I couldn't understand why Melanie didn't want children. What was the reason? Did I miss it when reading? I thought she didn't want kids because she did not like being touched. However, she got married and had a sex life, so...?
Not one of HB better series, imo. ...more

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Mar 22, 2016 Drava rated it liked it · review of another edition

2.75 Stars - I enjoy the author but this book was disappointing. Melanie wasn't an easy girl to like. I wished there was a better explanation of why she didn't want children. Definitely not my favorite.
...more

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About Heather Boyd

Heather Boyd

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USA Today Bestselling Author Heather Boyd believes every character she creates deserves their own happily-ever-after—no matter how much trouble she puts them through. With that goal in mind, she writes steamy romances that skirt the boundaries of propriety to keep readers enthralled until the wee hours of the morning. Heather has published over 40 regency romance novels and shorter works full of d ...more