What do you think?
Rate this book
Featherton Sisters #1
Rules of Engagement
We, the undersigned, confined to spinsterhood through no fault of our own, hereby declare to guide our beloved niece, Eliza Merriweather, through the upcoming season and secure for her one, if not several, offers of marriage. We vow to consult the magnificent handbook Rules of Engagement and follow its advice to the letter.
Our mission will be difficult, for Eliza is a very independent-minded young woman and a worthy adversary. Already, she has hatched a scheme of her own and persuaded Magnus MacKinnon, possessor of mesmerizing silver eyes and a shockingly sexy brogue, to play the role of attentive suitor. But with our help, it is only a matter of time before their "pretend" affections blossom into the real thing.
And so we pledge to remain steadfast and to accept nothing less than complete victory: our dearest Eliza walking hand in hand down the aisle with Magnus MacKinnon.
With true hearts and strong purpose,
The Ladies Letitia and Viola Featherton
Our mission will be difficult, for Eliza is a very independent-minded young woman and a worthy adversary. Already, she has hatched a scheme of her own and persuaded Magnus MacKinnon, possessor of mesmerizing silver eyes and a shockingly sexy brogue, to play the role of attentive suitor. But with our help, it is only a matter of time before their "pretend" affections blossom into the real thing.
And so we pledge to remain steadfast and to accept nothing less than complete victory: our dearest Eliza walking hand in hand down the aisle with Magnus MacKinnon.
With true hearts and strong purpose,
The Ladies Letitia and Viola Featherton
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
8 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Caskie
17 books214 followersKathryn Caskie has long been a devotee of history and things of old. So it came as no surprise to her family when she took a career detour off the online super highway and began writing historical romances full time.
With a background in marketing, advertising and journalism, she has written professionally for television, radio, magazines and newspapers.
Kathryn lives in a 200 year old Quaker home nestled in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her family, her greatest source of inspiration.
With a background in marketing, advertising and journalism, she has written professionally for television, radio, magazines and newspapers.
Kathryn lives in a 200 year old Quaker home nestled in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her family, her greatest source of inspiration.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 11, 2009
You know when someone has a good joke and doesn't expand upon it and just tries to stretch this same joke as long as they can til it stopped being funny, oh about twenty minuted ago? Well, that's Rules of Engagement by Kathryn Caskie in a nutshell. In this specific instance, playing on the saying "All's fair in love and war." Caskie takes the cute idea of using a military text as a how-to manual for getting engaged and stretches it, stretches it . . . wait for it . . . and stretches it some more until she gets to the requisite 300 pages. And the author barely makes that 300 pages mark despite what the specs sez. It leads to an arduous read because other than the amusing epigrams from the military text that starts each chapters, this novel is so paper-thin. The hero, the heroine, the two aunts and the basic plot are all cardboard cutouts. No historical atmosphere, of course (not that I was expecting any). Only that one good germ of an idea and it's not enough.
October 12, 2010
Mmkay, right of the bat I have a problem. I wasn't aware any self-respecting Scotsman said "Dash it all".
The "rules" before every chapter are cute and funny but it seems to be taking me a long time to get into this book.
Oh how I really wanted to get into this book but I just couldn't. There just was no story here.
Annoying how Magnus says "ye" every time, just once say "you" Please! I know, I know, he is Scottish but saying "ye, verra, canna," seem to be the only time he resembles a Scottish man.
I felt like the author was so concerned about getting the setting right, Regency periord, she forgot about the story. Every regency cliché was in this story.
I felt as if this book was some super hot guy, damn fine to look at and you are excited to meet him, but then he opens his mouth and you are severely disappointed and you just want to say "Shush, just stand there and look pretty". I wanted this book to be good! I would have honestly gave it a F rating except for the fact the author did have an intriguing story plot, but simply did not execute it well.
The secondary romance involving Grace, Eliza's sister, and Lord Hawkmoor was forgettable. Grace came off as bitchy for most of the book and I can't even think of Lord Hawkmoor's first name; never knew him at all.
I honestly don't know how people liked this book (if you are one of the people please let me know what you liked about it ) maybe I am missing something here but I didn't find it funny or a fast-paced enjoyable read. All I can say is "Lud!" this book sucked and I will not be continuing with this series at this time.
D-
The "rules" before every chapter are cute and funny but it seems to be taking me a long time to get into this book.
Oh how I really wanted to get into this book but I just couldn't. There just was no story here.
Annoying how Magnus says "ye" every time, just once say "you" Please! I know, I know, he is Scottish but saying "ye, verra, canna," seem to be the only time he resembles a Scottish man.
I felt like the author was so concerned about getting the setting right, Regency periord, she forgot about the story. Every regency cliché was in this story.
I felt as if this book was some super hot guy, damn fine to look at and you are excited to meet him, but then he opens his mouth and you are severely disappointed and you just want to say "Shush, just stand there and look pretty". I wanted this book to be good! I would have honestly gave it a F rating except for the fact the author did have an intriguing story plot, but simply did not execute it well.
The secondary romance involving Grace, Eliza's sister, and Lord Hawkmoor was forgettable. Grace came off as bitchy for most of the book and I can't even think of Lord Hawkmoor's first name; never knew him at all.
I honestly don't know how people liked this book (if you are one of the people please let me know what you liked about it ) maybe I am missing something here but I didn't find it funny or a fast-paced enjoyable read. All I can say is "Lud!" this book sucked and I will not be continuing with this series at this time.
D-
August 13, 2008
I really enjoyed this light hearted romance. I actually didn't mind all the mixups and misunderstandings that can get a bit old after a while. I loved the h/h and were glad when the heroine stopped fighting fate and the hero never wavered from what he wanted. Very cute.
October 3, 2011
I had the great pleasure of reviewing this book for the author through Romance Reviews Today. It was such a pleasurable read and so funny. It was an honor to review this amazing author's debut novel. I have read this book numerous times and always find it funny.
November 29, 2011
I see now why this book won Ms. Caskie a RITA award for her debut novel! I loved the love story of headstrong Eliza & great hulking & romantic to boot, Magnus! Delicious love scenes and heart stopping declaration of love will make you not put this book down til you finish!
February 14, 2012
Rated 4.5
July 14, 2019
Handlung:
Eliza Merriweather wird von ihren Tanten überredet eine Londoner Saison durchzustehen, bevor sie ihren großen Traum erfüllen kann, ein Kunststudium in Italien um ihre Malkünste auszubauen.
Doch ihre Tanten wollen sie und ihre Schwester Grace unbedingt unter die Haube bringen, greifen sogar zu einer Strategie aus einem Militärbuch. Eliza versucht mit Lord Somerton, Magnus MacKinnon einen Ausweg zu finden und sie treffen eine Abmachung. Doch Magnus Charme und Ausstrahlung ziehen Eliza immer mehr zu ihm hin, wird sie ihre Pläne wirklich durchziehen.
Meine Meinung:
Hat mir wirklich gut gefallen und hab mich gut amüsiert. Es hat richtig schön und gut geknistert zwischen Eliza und Magnus. Da gab es einige wirklich heiße Kussszenen.
Magnus war vielleicht ab und zu ein wenig passiv im Hinblick auf sein Geldproblem, aber ansonsten wirklich schnell entschlossen und hat ihr seine Gefühle gestanden, Respekt.
Mir hat er wirklich außerordentlich gut gefallen, nur dass Eliza zurückstecken soll und dass er sich ein wenig aufgedrängt hat am Ende - damit sie zugibt, dass sie ihn auch liebt, war schon ein wenig grenzwertig. Das fand ich ehrlich gesagt, auch vor allem blöd von ihr, nicht zuzugeben, dass sie ihn liebt, aber sie wollte ja, dass er Somerset nicht verliert (sein Erbe). Am Ende löst sich aber dann doch alles ganz gut wieder auf, auch mit ihrer Malerei und Italien, deshalb verzeihe ich der Autorin diese Neandertaler-Aufdring-Szene ein wenig.
Das Buch ist insgesamt nicht sonderlich aufregend, aber hat mir trotzdem gut gefallen. Zuletzt konnte ich es kaum aus der Hand legen. Auch die beiden schrulligen Kuppler-Tanten waren süß und haben für ordentlich Verwirrung gesorgt, wobei ihre Aktionen doch etwas zweifelhaft waren und nicht sonderlich gut in diese Zeit passten - Kompromierende Situationen (Einsperren über Nacht, nächtliche Spaziergänge etc.).
Die dritte jüngere Schwester Meredith, wird wohl ihr nächstes Opfer und in die Gesellschaft eingeführt und macht mich neugierig, aber wohl nicht in Band 2.
Schade, ist dass es die Reihe nicht auf deutsch als Ebook gibt. Ich hätte es lieber als Ebook, als als Taschenbuch. Deshalb darf das Buch also vorerst mal in mein Bücherregal einziehen.
Ich hab mich mal schlau gemacht, aber ich finde weder Teil 2 als ebook noch als Buch auf Englisch.
Neugierig, wie ich bin, hab ich mal nachgeforscht - die Autorin ist im August 2017 mit 54 Jahren verstorben, was man aus der GR-Autorenbeschreibung auch nicht erfahren kann. Generell erfährt man wenig über die Autorin/ihre Bücher, die bereits ein zwei Romantik-Preise abgestaubt hat.
Eliza Merriweather wird von ihren Tanten überredet eine Londoner Saison durchzustehen, bevor sie ihren großen Traum erfüllen kann, ein Kunststudium in Italien um ihre Malkünste auszubauen.
Doch ihre Tanten wollen sie und ihre Schwester Grace unbedingt unter die Haube bringen, greifen sogar zu einer Strategie aus einem Militärbuch. Eliza versucht mit Lord Somerton, Magnus MacKinnon einen Ausweg zu finden und sie treffen eine Abmachung. Doch Magnus Charme und Ausstrahlung ziehen Eliza immer mehr zu ihm hin, wird sie ihre Pläne wirklich durchziehen.
Meine Meinung:
Hat mir wirklich gut gefallen und hab mich gut amüsiert. Es hat richtig schön und gut geknistert zwischen Eliza und Magnus. Da gab es einige wirklich heiße Kussszenen.
Magnus war vielleicht ab und zu ein wenig passiv im Hinblick auf sein Geldproblem, aber ansonsten wirklich schnell entschlossen und hat ihr seine Gefühle gestanden, Respekt.
Mir hat er wirklich außerordentlich gut gefallen, nur dass Eliza zurückstecken soll und dass er sich ein wenig aufgedrängt hat am Ende - damit sie zugibt, dass sie ihn auch liebt, war schon ein wenig grenzwertig. Das fand ich ehrlich gesagt, auch vor allem blöd von ihr, nicht zuzugeben, dass sie ihn liebt, aber sie wollte ja, dass er Somerset nicht verliert (sein Erbe). Am Ende löst sich aber dann doch alles ganz gut wieder auf, auch mit ihrer Malerei und Italien, deshalb verzeihe ich der Autorin diese Neandertaler-Aufdring-Szene ein wenig.
Das Buch ist insgesamt nicht sonderlich aufregend, aber hat mir trotzdem gut gefallen. Zuletzt konnte ich es kaum aus der Hand legen. Auch die beiden schrulligen Kuppler-Tanten waren süß und haben für ordentlich Verwirrung gesorgt, wobei ihre Aktionen doch etwas zweifelhaft waren und nicht sonderlich gut in diese Zeit passten - Kompromierende Situationen (Einsperren über Nacht, nächtliche Spaziergänge etc.).
Die dritte jüngere Schwester Meredith, wird wohl ihr nächstes Opfer und in die Gesellschaft eingeführt und macht mich neugierig, aber wohl nicht in Band 2.
Schade, ist dass es die Reihe nicht auf deutsch als Ebook gibt. Ich hätte es lieber als Ebook, als als Taschenbuch. Deshalb darf das Buch also vorerst mal in mein Bücherregal einziehen.
Ich hab mich mal schlau gemacht, aber ich finde weder Teil 2 als ebook noch als Buch auf Englisch.
Neugierig, wie ich bin, hab ich mal nachgeforscht - die Autorin ist im August 2017 mit 54 Jahren verstorben, was man aus der GR-Autorenbeschreibung auch nicht erfahren kann. Generell erfährt man wenig über die Autorin/ihre Bücher, die bereits ein zwei Romantik-Preise abgestaubt hat.
September 7, 2020
1.5 stars really. You know when there's a really good story with an awesome premise and you just know it's going to be a perfect story, only to fall flat midway and by the end, you just want to get it over with? Well, this was exactly my case while reading Rules of Engagement.
Eliza, a headstrong girl with an artistic talent starts off as a admirable character, until she's not. She starts to look too stubborn and arrogant sometimes, someone who cannot look outside her own bubble and is concerned with running off to Italy to hone her skills, her family's reputation and sisters' marriage prospects be damned. Her obsession with Magnus while reprimanding herself to stay away from him, yet falling in his arms the very next second got boring super fast and just became annoying where you simply want to slap some sense into her.
Magnus was okay, way too overconfident, definitely and the whole 'ye' 'verra' 'canna' became exhausting and at one point I just wished the author would use simple English dialogue for Magnus, we get it, he's Scottish but stretching it for so long became tedious and irritating.
Surprising to say, even though Eliza and Magnus were annoying, they were not the characters I hated the most. This honor goes to Eliza's feather brained sister, Grace. This girl can think of nothing except 'me' 'my life' 'my marriage' 'my face' and 'my Reggie'. Needless to say, this girl is selfish and self obsessed and cares not a whit about her own sister's feelings and takes it upon herself to separate 2 people who so obviously love each other, only so that HER marriage prospects don't get ruined. Whatever happened to sibling support?
The story itself had a great start and the rules before each chapter was definitely the humor element, but the story fell flat soon and and it was just dragging, so much so that I delayed finishing the book. There were so many scene jumps and character jumps, going one moment from Eliza's pov to Magnus's while jumping back to Eliza, all in the same chapter or page. There was no consistency and it all felt messy.
The redeemable factor about the book were the aunts, they were hilarious, every scheme they pulled off just gave the comical support this book so clearly needed. The only reason I would even read the next book in the series is to see what new concoctions these two cook up next.
Eliza, a headstrong girl with an artistic talent starts off as a admirable character, until she's not. She starts to look too stubborn and arrogant sometimes, someone who cannot look outside her own bubble and is concerned with running off to Italy to hone her skills, her family's reputation and sisters' marriage prospects be damned. Her obsession with Magnus while reprimanding herself to stay away from him, yet falling in his arms the very next second got boring super fast and just became annoying where you simply want to slap some sense into her.
Magnus was okay, way too overconfident, definitely and the whole 'ye' 'verra' 'canna' became exhausting and at one point I just wished the author would use simple English dialogue for Magnus, we get it, he's Scottish but stretching it for so long became tedious and irritating.
Surprising to say, even though Eliza and Magnus were annoying, they were not the characters I hated the most. This honor goes to Eliza's feather brained sister, Grace. This girl can think of nothing except 'me' 'my life' 'my marriage' 'my face' and 'my Reggie'. Needless to say, this girl is selfish and self obsessed and cares not a whit about her own sister's feelings and takes it upon herself to separate 2 people who so obviously love each other, only so that HER marriage prospects don't get ruined. Whatever happened to sibling support?
The story itself had a great start and the rules before each chapter was definitely the humor element, but the story fell flat soon and and it was just dragging, so much so that I delayed finishing the book. There were so many scene jumps and character jumps, going one moment from Eliza's pov to Magnus's while jumping back to Eliza, all in the same chapter or page. There was no consistency and it all felt messy.
The redeemable factor about the book were the aunts, they were hilarious, every scheme they pulled off just gave the comical support this book so clearly needed. The only reason I would even read the next book in the series is to see what new concoctions these two cook up next.
February 17, 2022
Un conde hundido en las deudas que le dejo su hermano-que debe casarse con una heredera, una señorita debutante con el sueño de estudiar arte en Italia, con el único fin de huir del triste destino del matrimonio y dos tías alocadas que emplean estrategias de guerra para casar a sus sobrinas. La idea es buena, la escritura clásica. Algo lenta, los personajes principales no son memorables; hay algo en las tías que las harían tan memorables como la Lady D'ambury de Julia Quinn en una saga más larga que esta.
July 8, 2017
I skipped so much because it was just boring. 1 star
August 26, 2012
Well, I don't read historicals anymore simply because at one point it pissed me off that woman were held to different rules than men. But for some reason I was in the mood to dive back into this genre and just grabbed this book.
Surprisingly it got me hooked. I was drawn into the story and couldn't stop reading, because I really liked the bickering and dancing around that Magnus and Eliza did. I always like men in historicals who doesn't quite fit in and I always like woman who don't care much about the things a woman is supposed to do in this time around, well Eliza wasn't gonna do what was expected. That was one of the reasons why Grace got on my nerves and I wished that Eliza would be more straight in her viewings, but Grace redeemed herself in the end and I think Magnus was right, when he said that Grace and Eliza weren't that different.
The only downside to the book was, that I got really bored after the first tension was released. Well, you know with those kind of books that they gonna have a happy ending you only don't know how it gonna happens, but that were the parts that really bored me. Too much accidental obstacles were thrown into Eliza's and Magnus' way, that at one point I couldn't stop rolling my eyes and wanted to slap Eliza hard.
The tension was gone, the bickering was missing, the dancing around was gone. I would have liked to read until they both found a way to be happy together.
The only surprise in the end was the ship which actually didn't get lost in the storm.
Surprisingly it got me hooked. I was drawn into the story and couldn't stop reading, because I really liked the bickering and dancing around that Magnus and Eliza did. I always like men in historicals who doesn't quite fit in and I always like woman who don't care much about the things a woman is supposed to do in this time around, well Eliza wasn't gonna do what was expected. That was one of the reasons why Grace got on my nerves and I wished that Eliza would be more straight in her viewings, but Grace redeemed herself in the end and I think Magnus was right, when he said that Grace and Eliza weren't that different.
The only downside to the book was, that I got really bored after the first tension was released. Well, you know with those kind of books that they gonna have a happy ending you only don't know how it gonna happens, but that were the parts that really bored me. Too much accidental obstacles were thrown into Eliza's and Magnus' way, that at one point I couldn't stop rolling my eyes and wanted to slap Eliza hard.
The tension was gone, the bickering was missing, the dancing around was gone. I would have liked to read until they both found a way to be happy together.
The only surprise in the end was the ship which actually didn't get lost in the storm.
May 19, 2013
Very drawn out and overly dramatic.
The premise was interesting, applying war strategies into romance, and it had its moments but for me the story missed the mark. Most of its characters are shallow and two-dimensional, a couple are downright unlikable and the descriptions of some scenes didn't make much sense or weren't very well executed.
It took me a long while to get through and I'm usually a pretty fast reader and if I read another of the author's books (this was my first one) it will not be in the near future.
The premise was interesting, applying war strategies into romance, and it had its moments but for me the story missed the mark. Most of its characters are shallow and two-dimensional, a couple are downright unlikable and the descriptions of some scenes didn't make much sense or weren't very well executed.
It took me a long while to get through and I'm usually a pretty fast reader and if I read another of the author's books (this was my first one) it will not be in the near future.
July 18, 2010
Everyone said how funny this book was, but I didn't think so. The premise and the scenes were just dumb.
August 26, 2013
DELETED FROM KINDLE
Read
June 4, 2016Used - Good (Moderate amount of creases in spine; Crease down front cover)
May 29, 2013
The Aunts are funny, but the main characters didn't catch my attention.
July 22, 2015
Absolutely adore this book. Letitia and Viola had me laugh all through the book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews