What do you think?
Rate this book
The Reluctant Flirt
Augusta Glendenning is so ill-at-ease in society that her family despairs of her ever marrying. Then Philip Denham is persuaded to transform Gussie into the toast of the town; all his gambling debts will be paid off if he's successful. But Philip soon realizes that Gussie is perfect the way she is--and that he's fallen in love with her! A Regency romance reissue.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
About the author
Elizabeth Mansfield
59 books63 followersElizabeth Mansfield is the author of numerous regency romances. She is an intelligent and thoughtful writer, a hidden gem whose novels deserve to be more widely read and enjoyed.
Elizabeth Mansfield is the pen name of the talented Paula Reibel Schwartz. Ms Schwartz also wrote different genres under the pen names Paula Reibel, Paula Reid, and Paula Jonas.
Elizabeth Mansfield is the pen name of the talented Paula Reibel Schwartz. Ms Schwartz also wrote different genres under the pen names Paula Reibel, Paula Reid, and Paula Jonas.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 5, 2024
3.5 Stars Rounded Up
Tropes: Makeover, Rake, Wallflower
An absolutely jam-packed regency romance. There are a comical amount of subplots coinciding with the main one, leading to a pleasant, if overstuffed, experience.
Our hero, Philip Denham, is a charmer, but also a gambling addict in a truly hideous amount of debt (NINE THOUSAND POUNDS. BRO!). Instead of asking for his brother, Roger, to bail him out for a SECOND time, he wants to find another solution. His best friend, Ned Glendenning, tries to advocate for Philip with a wild heiress, Lucia Greland, only to grow attracted to her himself. (This was my favorite subplot in the book. Lucia's an absolute boss.)
While that is happening, Philip finds another solution. His sister in law, Letty Glendenning (Roger's wife), bets him the money as long as he can turn her shy younger sister, Augusta Glendenning, into the belle of the ball, as the youngest sister, Claryce Glendenning, is an incorrigible flirt who keeps sniping anyone who takes interest in Augusta. Augusta, meanwhile, finds the entire charade humiliating, but goes along with it because she's been in love with Philip for ages. (This is the main plot of the book.)
MEANWHILE, Letty getting the money causes strife with her husband, Claryce falls for a man nicknamed "The Seal," who's slithered out of marriage several times, and the final sister, Prue, has a baby. (These are the last of the subplots). I do think we get a few moments humanizing Claryce, but I could have done with more.
In case it's not clear from that brief summary, a lot happens in this book. Like, a lot, a lot. Probably too much, to be honest. Because while all of these plots were entertaining, they don't give the primary romance much room to breathe. Augusta and Philip, much like wallflowers, kind of fade into the back of their own book. Maybe if Philip had gotten more page time, I would have bought his arc around his gambling vice more. Maybe if Augusta had been more on page, we could have gotten to some real depth with her.
My mixed feelings might also be a result of the writing style. Elizabeth Mansfield, much like the pen name implies, is absolutely going for Jane Austen's style. This is head-hopping, omniscient third, which you don't come across much these days. It definitely adds some classic flair to the proceedings, but that point of view comes with a emotional distance that I don't tend to adore.
But even with that, the sheer amount crammed into this 200 pages is mind-boggling. So many clearly-drawn characters being given meaningful arcs deserves a lot of praise. Mansfield really had something. RIP, madame.
Tropes: Makeover, Rake, Wallflower
An absolutely jam-packed regency romance. There are a comical amount of subplots coinciding with the main one, leading to a pleasant, if overstuffed, experience.
Our hero, Philip Denham, is a charmer, but also a gambling addict in a truly hideous amount of debt (NINE THOUSAND POUNDS. BRO!). Instead of asking for his brother, Roger, to bail him out for a SECOND time, he wants to find another solution. His best friend, Ned Glendenning, tries to advocate for Philip with a wild heiress, Lucia Greland, only to grow attracted to her himself. (This was my favorite subplot in the book. Lucia's an absolute boss.)
While that is happening, Philip finds another solution. His sister in law, Letty Glendenning (Roger's wife), bets him the money as long as he can turn her shy younger sister, Augusta Glendenning, into the belle of the ball, as the youngest sister, Claryce Glendenning, is an incorrigible flirt who keeps sniping anyone who takes interest in Augusta. Augusta, meanwhile, finds the entire charade humiliating, but goes along with it because she's been in love with Philip for ages. (This is the main plot of the book.)
MEANWHILE, Letty getting the money causes strife with her husband, Claryce falls for a man nicknamed "The Seal," who's slithered out of marriage several times, and the final sister, Prue, has a baby. (These are the last of the subplots). I do think we get a few moments humanizing Claryce, but I could have done with more.
In case it's not clear from that brief summary, a lot happens in this book. Like, a lot, a lot. Probably too much, to be honest. Because while all of these plots were entertaining, they don't give the primary romance much room to breathe. Augusta and Philip, much like wallflowers, kind of fade into the back of their own book. Maybe if Philip had gotten more page time, I would have bought his arc around his gambling vice more. Maybe if Augusta had been more on page, we could have gotten to some real depth with her.
My mixed feelings might also be a result of the writing style. Elizabeth Mansfield, much like the pen name implies, is absolutely going for Jane Austen's style. This is head-hopping, omniscient third, which you don't come across much these days. It definitely adds some classic flair to the proceedings, but that point of view comes with a emotional distance that I don't tend to adore.
But even with that, the sheer amount crammed into this 200 pages is mind-boggling. So many clearly-drawn characters being given meaningful arcs deserves a lot of praise. Mansfield really had something. RIP, madame.
October 26, 2022
Sweet, clean romance that left you feeling like you were in the story with the characters.
October 1, 2025
This was a very nice regency story that I found to be adorable! I will read it again in the future!
August 13, 2016
I've been working on re-reading books to clear out my library. I'm only keeping my favorite/best books. The rest will be sent to Half Price Books.
This one is a keeper. Elizabeth Mansfield is one of my favorite historical Regency romance writers. There's a certain sense of humor to her books that I'm not finding in many other authors. She seems to remain true to the time period (I really hate it when we thrust modern sensibilities on the past) and makes me feel for the characters.
I crushed on the hero (a necessity for a good hero) who wasn't perfect. Actually, that's another peeve: the perfect characters. All in all, Elizabeth delivers.
This one is a keeper. Elizabeth Mansfield is one of my favorite historical Regency romance writers. There's a certain sense of humor to her books that I'm not finding in many other authors. She seems to remain true to the time period (I really hate it when we thrust modern sensibilities on the past) and makes me feel for the characters.
I crushed on the hero (a necessity for a good hero) who wasn't perfect. Actually, that's another peeve: the perfect characters. All in all, Elizabeth delivers.
September 25, 2009
Regency
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews