What do you think?
Rate this book
The Unromantic Lady
The heart wants what it wants… Diantha Halstow is unlike any other woman in Regency society. With her vast wealth, demure face and beautiful figure, she should be a very eligible young lady. But there is one problem – Diantha doesn’t believe in love, and she makes sure every love-struck bachelor knows it. Suitors may try their luck, but Diantha is not one to hold her tongue – something which makes her aunt, Lady Greenbourne, despair of her and her unladylike talk. Meanwhile, Rexford Lytham has inherited his uncle’s title of Earl of Chartridge and with it, the old man’s gargantuan debts. It seems that the only way to save Chartridge Abbey and its surrounding tenants is for Rex to marry a wealthy Lady. But Rex is as wary of love as Diantha is. His friends and brother, Major George Lytham, all conspire to match him with Diantha, while Lady Greenbourne believes that a sensible young man like Rex is perfect for her unromantic niece. Yet the two young singletons soon guess their relations’ plot and conspire to foil it with a marriage of convenience. But neither of them are so unreasonable to fall in love with one another – surely? Or are they not as immune to love as either of them thought? As war looms once more over Europe, perhaps reason no longer matters… Lucy Gordon began working life on a British women's magazine, where she interviewed famous men like Sir Roger Moore, Sir Alec Guinness, Warren Beatty, Richard Chamberlain and Charlton Heston. But since 1984, she has been publishing her romance novels – twice winning the Romance Writers of America RITA Award for the Best Traditional Romance. She is now married to a Venetian artist and together, they have lived in different parts of Italy, though currently reside in her native England.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 1996
74 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Gordon
691 books90 followersChristine Sparks was born in England, UK. She wanted to be a writer all her life, and began by working on a British women's magazine. As a features writer, she gained a wide variety of experience. She interviewed some of the world's most attractive and interesting men, including Warren Beatty, Richard Chamberlain, Charlton Heston, Sir Roger Moore, Sir Alec Guiness.
Single life was so enjoyable that she put marriage, and even romance, on the back burner, while she went about the world having a great time. Then, while on vacation in Venice, she met a tall, dark handsome Venetian artist, who changed all her ideas in a moment, and proposed on the second day. Three months later they were married. Her friends said a whirlwind romance would never last, but they celebrated their 25 anniversary, they are still married, still happy and in love.
After 13 years on the magazine Christine decided that it was now or never if she was ever going to write that novel. So she wrote Legacy of Fire which became a Silhouette Special Edition, followed by another, Enchantment in Venice. Then she did something crazy gave up her job. Since then she has concentrated entirely on writing romances for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette and has written over 75 books. Her settings have been European and her heroes mainly English or Italian. Christine now claims to be an expert on one particular subject. Italian men are the most romantic in the world. They are also the best cooks.
A few years ago she and her husband returned to Venice and lived there for a couple of years. This proved the perfect base for exploring the rest of Italy, and she has given many of her books Italian settings: Venice (of course), Rome, Florence, Milan, Sicily, Tuscany. She has also used the Rhine in Germany for Song of the Lorelei, for which she won her first RITA Award, in 1991. Her second RITA came in 1998, with His Brother's Child, set in Rome.
Eventually Christine Fiorotto and her husband returned to England, where they now live. She write and he paints, they have no children, but have a cat and a dog.
Single life was so enjoyable that she put marriage, and even romance, on the back burner, while she went about the world having a great time. Then, while on vacation in Venice, she met a tall, dark handsome Venetian artist, who changed all her ideas in a moment, and proposed on the second day. Three months later they were married. Her friends said a whirlwind romance would never last, but they celebrated their 25 anniversary, they are still married, still happy and in love.
After 13 years on the magazine Christine decided that it was now or never if she was ever going to write that novel. So she wrote Legacy of Fire which became a Silhouette Special Edition, followed by another, Enchantment in Venice. Then she did something crazy gave up her job. Since then she has concentrated entirely on writing romances for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette and has written over 75 books. Her settings have been European and her heroes mainly English or Italian. Christine now claims to be an expert on one particular subject. Italian men are the most romantic in the world. They are also the best cooks.
A few years ago she and her husband returned to Venice and lived there for a couple of years. This proved the perfect base for exploring the rest of Italy, and she has given many of her books Italian settings: Venice (of course), Rome, Florence, Milan, Sicily, Tuscany. She has also used the Rhine in Germany for Song of the Lorelei, for which she won her first RITA Award, in 1991. Her second RITA came in 1998, with His Brother's Child, set in Rome.
Eventually Christine Fiorotto and her husband returned to England, where they now live. She write and he paints, they have no children, but have a cat and a dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 12, 2016
This one dragged on too long - especially the beginning - but I got a nice dose of angst at the end as a reward for persevering. The premise is that the heroine is a wealthy heiress who doesn't believe in romantic love. The hero needs money and is savvy enough to listen to the heroine's impassioned speeches and to agree to a sensible marriage. They have great sex, the heroine's money helps the hero's estate although his pride doesn't allow him to take more than the amount to pay off his debts. The reader thinks this (hero's pride) will be the big point of conflict until the war breaks out and we're all off to France and the battle of Waterloo. Then an OW shows up, there's some death and destruction and the heroine wakes up to her true feelings.
November 6, 2016
Gorgeous cover (Kindle) and a very promising plot. H & h both strongly drawn, and good solid backchat all round. Unfortunately, by the time the couple gets married, it's still quite early in the book, so there's a lot of padding (secondary characters pairing up, descriptions of dresses, parties and housekeeping) and some faintly improbable conflict (which proves the hero is not, after all, a man of sense), before the HEA. But based on the strength of the first half, I would read something else by Lucy Gordon if anyone has any recommendations.
PS does anyone know who the cover artist is? The style's very close to the re-issued Heyers.
PS does anyone know who the cover artist is? The style's very close to the re-issued Heyers.
March 18, 2017
Factually, this book fell short when it came to respecting the expected propriety as well as recognizing the customs and cultures befitting of the Regency era.
Nevertheless, The Unromantic Lady was a generally and genuinely enjoyable read. I would even go so far as to say it was the best of the modern-day historical romances I have read so far and in particular, this year. Not that this is much of an accomplishment all things considered, but it is a recognition of such nonetheless.
As far as romances go, it is a story that is so extremely basic that it hardly bears explaining beyond the fact that it is about a girl who had been disenchanted by love through some personal tragedy is eventually made to discover its merits. Nothing special really.
What is funny is that her disenchantment and disinclination towards love is what primarily makes her 'different' among her peers, as if all woman of that era prescribed to Mrs. Bennet's way of thinking when it came to marriage. Which I can assure you, at least historically, was not entirely the case with many enough women in general.
But of course, because our main character, Diantha Halstow, is oh so special as a fabulously wealthy and beyond beautiful young lady, she has no choice but to make for a good match or continue to suffer the fools that constantly seek her hand with an eye for her fortune. So, despite her having a name that is more fashion than sense (not that the book broached the subject, though it ought to have all things considered), she supposedly opts for Reason. That is to say, she accepts the overtures of the handsome Lord Rex (really.) of Chartridge, an Earl of recent vintage with need of her fortune to preserve his estate, who in return offers her a title as well as freedom from expectations, both from her peers as well as his own.
Maddening name choices for her characters aside, I did like the balance and pacing that was struck by the author for much of this book. Without bogging down the plot or losing sight of it, she managed to give a necessary nod to the customs of the era while also sharing in the spoils of marriage that many romantic readers deem a necessary part of their reading experience. And of course, she mixes in some chaos by adding some sense of scandal and drama in their lives as an aid to advancing the plot.
All of the above made for an engaging and linear progression throughout, and though little was unexpected, it was just subtle enough not to have shoved your nose in it and so keeping it from being an unwanted development.
With that said, the author got too carried away with her desire for drama and scandal by stretching the realm of belief into the absurd in the final quarter of the book. Not so far as to ruin the whole thing, but enough for one to lose immersion within it due to its absurdity. I admit I grew more than a little irritated by all of it and had wished it had been able to maintain a little more subtly in its conclusion rather than trying to end it on a grand but unnecessary scale.
It's a shame really, that in attempting to create a grand ending one ends up getting in the way of one's self by doing more than the story dictates it ought to have.
For that I admit, I ended up removing a star from its rating. While I can admit to liking the novel freely enough, that ending certainly removed a great deal of esteem I had built up from its humbler and more subtle beginnings.
Nevertheless, The Unromantic Lady was a generally and genuinely enjoyable read. I would even go so far as to say it was the best of the modern-day historical romances I have read so far and in particular, this year. Not that this is much of an accomplishment all things considered, but it is a recognition of such nonetheless.
As far as romances go, it is a story that is so extremely basic that it hardly bears explaining beyond the fact that it is about a girl who had been disenchanted by love through some personal tragedy is eventually made to discover its merits. Nothing special really.
What is funny is that her disenchantment and disinclination towards love is what primarily makes her 'different' among her peers, as if all woman of that era prescribed to Mrs. Bennet's way of thinking when it came to marriage. Which I can assure you, at least historically, was not entirely the case with many enough women in general.
But of course, because our main character, Diantha Halstow, is oh so special as a fabulously wealthy and beyond beautiful young lady, she has no choice but to make for a good match or continue to suffer the fools that constantly seek her hand with an eye for her fortune. So, despite her having a name that is more fashion than sense (not that the book broached the subject, though it ought to have all things considered), she supposedly opts for Reason. That is to say, she accepts the overtures of the handsome Lord Rex (really.) of Chartridge, an Earl of recent vintage with need of her fortune to preserve his estate, who in return offers her a title as well as freedom from expectations, both from her peers as well as his own.
Maddening name choices for her characters aside, I did like the balance and pacing that was struck by the author for much of this book. Without bogging down the plot or losing sight of it, she managed to give a necessary nod to the customs of the era while also sharing in the spoils of marriage that many romantic readers deem a necessary part of their reading experience. And of course, she mixes in some chaos by adding some sense of scandal and drama in their lives as an aid to advancing the plot.
All of the above made for an engaging and linear progression throughout, and though little was unexpected, it was just subtle enough not to have shoved your nose in it and so keeping it from being an unwanted development.
With that said, the author got too carried away with her desire for drama and scandal by stretching the realm of belief into the absurd in the final quarter of the book. Not so far as to ruin the whole thing, but enough for one to lose immersion within it due to its absurdity. I admit I grew more than a little irritated by all of it and had wished it had been able to maintain a little more subtly in its conclusion rather than trying to end it on a grand but unnecessary scale.
It's a shame really, that in attempting to create a grand ending one ends up getting in the way of one's self by doing more than the story dictates it ought to have.
For that I admit, I ended up removing a star from its rating. While I can admit to liking the novel freely enough, that ending certainly removed a great deal of esteem I had built up from its humbler and more subtle beginnings.
September 22, 2021
Adorable little regency. Loved it!
August 26, 2016
What a charming MOC regency story! Both H/h start their marriage with clear, realistic (or what they thought never less) expectations of what the best marriage should be: union of people who respect each other but do not love each other. I loved both H and h, their delightful interactions with each other. The secondary characters are also well portrayed.
June 30, 2023
Una novela que me encantó, que leí en un día. No es muy larga y pasan muchas cosas, casi para hacer una miniserie de la BBC.
Entonces porqué solo tres estrellas (quizás tres y media). Más adelante lo contaré tratando de evitar spoilers.
Diantha Halstow es una bella y rica heredera de veinte años que no cree en el amor. Consecuencia de la historia de sus padres que se jugaron por la pasión y terminaron destruidos, más experiencias de parejas cercanas. Pero se siente prisionera de las presiones sociales por su soltería.
Mientras tanto, Rexford Lytham ha heredado el título de conde de Chartridge de su tío y, con él, gigantescas deudas. La única forma de salvar a Chartridge Abbey y los inquilinos que la rodean es que Rex se case con una dama adinerada. Pero Rex desconfía tanto del amor como Diantha.
La solución es aceptar cierto complot familiar y, luego de conocerse y hablar claramente acerca de sus expectativas, acuerdan casarse en una unión de conveniencia: Rex por su fortuna y Diantha por su título y su libertad.
Y pasa lo que tiene que pasar. A pesar de que Rex guarda un secreto.
Lo que me gustó:
La primera parte me encantó, los diálogos entre ellos son geniales con ese humor irónico y toda la flema inglesa. Me divertí mucho.
El romance de las dos parejas secundarias, con mucho amor y decisión.
El desenlace del misterio de Rex, a pesar que me causó mucha angst por momentos. Realmente, no me imaginaba cómo se iba a resolver. Casi dejo de leer por el sufrimiento de Diantha.
El final, la declaración de amor (excepto el escenario) donde se aclaran todos los misterios. Porque sí, se enamoraron. Y sí, hay escenas sensuales (porque con eso no tienen problemas desde el principio).
Lo que no me gustó:
Soy un poco obsesiva respecto a “de qué va” una historia, y me confundí mucho al respecto. Primero parece una comedia irónica. Luego una historia costumbrista del estilo de Jane Austin, con los bailes y los perjuicios de la época. Y el desenlace fue sumamente dramático, con mucha angustia, que podría haber sucedido en Londres en circunstancias más amables en función del tenor de la novela hasta ese momento.
Sin darme cuenta, todo comenzó en la campiña inglesa y terminó en los sangrientos campos de la batalla de Waterloo. Pienso que la autora quiso hablar de hechos históricos reales pero no eran decisivos para el desenlace.
Las historias secundarias, si bien me gustaron, tendieron a opacar al romance principal. En especial a Rex que por momentos parecía ser un personaje muy borroso del que no sabemos nada. Entiendo que esto formaba parte del misterio y los secretos que escondía, pero a veces desaparecía demasiado.
Así que, si bien me encantó y no paré de leerla hasta el final, tuve varios choques en la lectura que me desestabilizaron. Sabiendo el final, la volvería a leer para entender un poco más las conductas de Rex.
Entonces porqué solo tres estrellas (quizás tres y media). Más adelante lo contaré tratando de evitar spoilers.
Diantha Halstow es una bella y rica heredera de veinte años que no cree en el amor. Consecuencia de la historia de sus padres que se jugaron por la pasión y terminaron destruidos, más experiencias de parejas cercanas. Pero se siente prisionera de las presiones sociales por su soltería.
Mientras tanto, Rexford Lytham ha heredado el título de conde de Chartridge de su tío y, con él, gigantescas deudas. La única forma de salvar a Chartridge Abbey y los inquilinos que la rodean es que Rex se case con una dama adinerada. Pero Rex desconfía tanto del amor como Diantha.
La solución es aceptar cierto complot familiar y, luego de conocerse y hablar claramente acerca de sus expectativas, acuerdan casarse en una unión de conveniencia: Rex por su fortuna y Diantha por su título y su libertad.
Y pasa lo que tiene que pasar. A pesar de que Rex guarda un secreto.
Lo que me gustó:
La primera parte me encantó, los diálogos entre ellos son geniales con ese humor irónico y toda la flema inglesa. Me divertí mucho.
El romance de las dos parejas secundarias, con mucho amor y decisión.
El desenlace del misterio de Rex, a pesar que me causó mucha angst por momentos. Realmente, no me imaginaba cómo se iba a resolver. Casi dejo de leer por el sufrimiento de Diantha.
El final, la declaración de amor (excepto el escenario) donde se aclaran todos los misterios. Porque sí, se enamoraron. Y sí, hay escenas sensuales (porque con eso no tienen problemas desde el principio).
Lo que no me gustó:
Soy un poco obsesiva respecto a “de qué va” una historia, y me confundí mucho al respecto. Primero parece una comedia irónica. Luego una historia costumbrista del estilo de Jane Austin, con los bailes y los perjuicios de la época. Y el desenlace fue sumamente dramático, con mucha angustia, que podría haber sucedido en Londres en circunstancias más amables en función del tenor de la novela hasta ese momento.
Sin darme cuenta, todo comenzó en la campiña inglesa y terminó en los sangrientos campos de la batalla de Waterloo. Pienso que la autora quiso hablar de hechos históricos reales pero no eran decisivos para el desenlace.
Las historias secundarias, si bien me gustaron, tendieron a opacar al romance principal. En especial a Rex que por momentos parecía ser un personaje muy borroso del que no sabemos nada. Entiendo que esto formaba parte del misterio y los secretos que escondía, pero a veces desaparecía demasiado.
Así que, si bien me encantó y no paré de leerla hasta el final, tuve varios choques en la lectura que me desestabilizaron. Sabiendo el final, la volvería a leer para entender un poco más las conductas de Rex.
April 28, 2024
Diantha Halstow is fabulously wealthy, but her non-nonsense attitude and her grandfather's trade connections have left potential suitors cold. The new Earl of Chartridge, Rexford Lytham, has inherited more debt than he can possibly clear, and he is forced to consider the unwelcome prospect of marrying for money, being nothing less than a common fortune hunter. When his cousin tells him about Diantha, and her unique view that love and romance are utter nonsense. While their relatives scheme to matchmake them, they decide to enter into a marriage of convenience.
Rex and Diantha come to work together well as a couple, matchmaking his brother and her cousin, and rescuing another cousin who has been trapped by a married couple. But as Napoleon escapes from imprisonment, war looms large on the horizon.
This was a strange novel, the bedroom scenes were glossed over, and there was a lot of historical detail, particularly around the Napoleonic Wars. It reminded me of the sort of detailed historical romances Georgette Heyer wrote so well (without ever reaching those giddy heights of perfection), so basically not an inaccurate bodice-ripper. However, all this good build-up was spoilt for me by the abrupt end, maybe I'm too used to the epilogue rounding off the novel nicely.
A Kindle freebie and available on Kindle Unlimited.
Rex and Diantha come to work together well as a couple, matchmaking his brother and her cousin, and rescuing another cousin who has been trapped by a married couple. But as Napoleon escapes from imprisonment, war looms large on the horizon.
This was a strange novel, the bedroom scenes were glossed over, and there was a lot of historical detail, particularly around the Napoleonic Wars. It reminded me of the sort of detailed historical romances Georgette Heyer wrote so well (without ever reaching those giddy heights of perfection), so basically not an inaccurate bodice-ripper. However, all this good build-up was spoilt for me by the abrupt end, maybe I'm too used to the epilogue rounding off the novel nicely.
A Kindle freebie and available on Kindle Unlimited.
June 30, 2017
This is a fun Regency romance, with.a bit of an unusual twist. The marriage of convenience, arranged amicably by the bride and groom themselves, occurs at midpoint, and we see their life together after the wedding bells have rung. It includes the usual cast of devastatingly handsome men, beautiful women, Wellington's officers, and dashing dandies, balls and routs and skittish high-bred horses, and peripheral characters of slightly less physical perfection but perhaps more personal charm than the central duo. There are in fact four weddings during the course of the story, which finishes with the ladies working at a field hospital receiving the wounded during the battle of Waterloo.
The writing has some of Jane Austen's dry wit and satirical social commentary, as highlighted in my quotes, which spice the romance with fun.
The writing has some of Jane Austen's dry wit and satirical social commentary, as highlighted in my quotes, which spice the romance with fun.
September 6, 2017
I have read a few books now from this publisher. Without exception, they have been well-written, intelligent novels with a good sense of the time and place where they were set ... and woefully paced, with everything progressing slowly at first and then a free for all in the last 10% of the book. And it is in thatlast 10% - or 5%, or 2% - that they seem to realise that they are romance novels and quickly add some hitherto out of character overwrought love scene.
This novel - which owes a great deal to Georgette Heyer's magnificent An Infamous Army - is no exception. It's pleasant but could do with a tighter plot, less totally obvious foreshadowing, and a more gentle hand for the final scene.
This novel - which owes a great deal to Georgette Heyer's magnificent An Infamous Army - is no exception. It's pleasant but could do with a tighter plot, less totally obvious foreshadowing, and a more gentle hand for the final scene.
April 24, 2024
An unromantic romance
Dihanna is a young, forthright heiress. As a result of her unfortunate and ‘improper’ parents, she does not believe in love and swears that any marriage she enters into will be based on sound reason. Her guardians are relieved to arrange her marriage to an Earl, seeking a fortune to clear his own late father’s debts. Dihanna starts to learn that the freedom she craved isn’t all it cracks up to be.
An entertaining read, full of the details of the historical costume, the manners and events of the time. There is humour, scandal, secrets and a building tension as countries and rivals approach war. Kept me reading to the end.
Dihanna is a young, forthright heiress. As a result of her unfortunate and ‘improper’ parents, she does not believe in love and swears that any marriage she enters into will be based on sound reason. Her guardians are relieved to arrange her marriage to an Earl, seeking a fortune to clear his own late father’s debts. Dihanna starts to learn that the freedom she craved isn’t all it cracks up to be.
An entertaining read, full of the details of the historical costume, the manners and events of the time. There is humour, scandal, secrets and a building tension as countries and rivals approach war. Kept me reading to the end.
December 10, 2022
Terrific!
Unusual Regency! A marriage based, not on love, but convenience. She is a rich heiress with less than stellar parents and does not believe in love. He is a new earl to a debt ridden estate who must marry an heiress. They agree to a practical marriage of convenience, agreeing that no love is involved nor ever will be! Many hindrances and drama from both of their families cause issues and then Bonaparte escapes and ,history has informed us, that the Battle of Waterloo is iminent! All parties rush to Brussels and an exciting, scary, emotional finale!
Unusual Regency! A marriage based, not on love, but convenience. She is a rich heiress with less than stellar parents and does not believe in love. He is a new earl to a debt ridden estate who must marry an heiress. They agree to a practical marriage of convenience, agreeing that no love is involved nor ever will be! Many hindrances and drama from both of their families cause issues and then Bonaparte escapes and ,history has informed us, that the Battle of Waterloo is iminent! All parties rush to Brussels and an exciting, scary, emotional finale!
January 17, 2022
Ogni tanto, evidentemente, qualunque scrittore riesce a scrivere un buon romanzo: e questo, nonostante qualche eccesso (specie nei capitoli finali) lo è: la storia si dipana in modo equilibrato, una certa tensione, e non mancano i dialoghi pieni di spirito. Ma le mie speranze di aver scoperto una nuova 'perla' si sono presto infrante... Gli altri libri di questa autrice si sono rivelati altamente deludenti.
April 5, 2018
This was an old fashioned Regency. The characters were interesting. I liked the beginning when the hero and heroine first meet and decide to marry each other. It kind of meandered in the middle with two other love stories and the battle of Waterloo thrown in. There was some development of the relationship but suddenly it seemed to go in a different direction. It was okay.
March 8, 2024
3.5*
I enjoyed this take on the marriage of convenience, though I’m not convinced the H’s ‘secret knowledge’ warranted such guilt.
N.B I read the hard copy version of this book published in 1996 under the pen name Penelope Stratton. It was a surprise to find this author’s works have been republished on Kindle as by Lucy Gordon.
I enjoyed this take on the marriage of convenience, though I’m not convinced the H’s ‘secret knowledge’ warranted such guilt.
N.B I read the hard copy version of this book published in 1996 under the pen name Penelope Stratton. It was a surprise to find this author’s works have been republished on Kindle as by Lucy Gordon.
May 2, 2024
The Unromantic Lady
A well written romance, with believable characters. My only criticism is that I found the ending a little abrupt, a few more pages, or even an epilogue could have ended the story on a slightly more upbeat note.
A well written romance, with believable characters. My only criticism is that I found the ending a little abrupt, a few more pages, or even an epilogue could have ended the story on a slightly more upbeat note.
February 16, 2021
A nice little palate cleanser between heavier novels. Cheesy and cute, not too trashy, and a quick little read.
April 23, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyable
An excellent romantic novel with enough twists and turns to keep you reading, highly recommended for lovers of Georgette Heyer.
An excellent romantic novel with enough twists and turns to keep you reading, highly recommended for lovers of Georgette Heyer.
October 16, 2016
Its a buy book.
This author has a fantastic way of writing. While I was a little disappointed in some of the predictability of this book, I was not disappointed overall.
Giving four stars to a book to me means it is a worthwhile read. In this I stand for it completely, the battleground scene touched my heart. The read was pleasant and went at a good pace. While it was somewhat predictable it was still a true romance historical with love and passion and plots of suspense. I can only say if you want a light read that will keep your attention buy this one. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom
This author has a fantastic way of writing. While I was a little disappointed in some of the predictability of this book, I was not disappointed overall.
Giving four stars to a book to me means it is a worthwhile read. In this I stand for it completely, the battleground scene touched my heart. The read was pleasant and went at a good pace. While it was somewhat predictable it was still a true romance historical with love and passion and plots of suspense. I can only say if you want a light read that will keep your attention buy this one. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom
September 19, 2016
This love story was founded on the base of sense and not love. The characters had a good marriage and suffered for it. The ending reveals a lot and we also get two other doses of love on the side. The truth learned saved the day. The battlefield scene brought tears to my eyes. Good story!
September 11, 2016
Diantha Halstow is unlike any other woman in Regency society, doesn’t believe in love, and she ensures that any love-struck bachelor knows it. However she has a vast fortune left to her by her banker grandfather
Suitors may try their luck, but Diantha is not one to hold her tongue – something which makes her aunt, Lady Greenbourne, despair of her and her unladylike talk.
Meanwhile, Rexford Lytham has inherited his uncle’s title of Earl of Chartridge and with it, the old man’s gargantuan debts. It seems that the only way to save Chartridge Abbey and its surrounding tenants is for Rex to marry a wealthy Lady. But Rex is as wary of love as Diantha is.
His friends and brother, Major George Lytham, all conspire to match him with Diantha, while Lady Greenbourne believes that a sensible young man like Rex is perfect for the unromantic Diantha. Yet the two young singletons soon guessed their relations’ plot. However, Diantha is impressed by Rex’s honesty, and in turn, he is impressed by her reasoning. So they agree to marry in a union of convenience – Rex for her fortune and Diantha for his title and her freedom or so they try to make themselves believe..
Rex only agrees to take the minimum amount in the marriage settlement, enough to pay the debts. Diantha reasons with him to let her transfer more money to him so that the estate tenants homes can be improved.
There is definitely love in the air for Diantha’s cousins. There’s a mystery surrounding Diantha’s father & then there’s Lady Bartlett.
Another well written novel from the author that had me turning the pages. Rex & Diantha are likeable & their attraction to each other is obvious to everyone but it takes the Battle of Waterloo & its immediate aftermath for them to get their HEA.
I received an ARC copy
Suitors may try their luck, but Diantha is not one to hold her tongue – something which makes her aunt, Lady Greenbourne, despair of her and her unladylike talk.
Meanwhile, Rexford Lytham has inherited his uncle’s title of Earl of Chartridge and with it, the old man’s gargantuan debts. It seems that the only way to save Chartridge Abbey and its surrounding tenants is for Rex to marry a wealthy Lady. But Rex is as wary of love as Diantha is.
His friends and brother, Major George Lytham, all conspire to match him with Diantha, while Lady Greenbourne believes that a sensible young man like Rex is perfect for the unromantic Diantha. Yet the two young singletons soon guessed their relations’ plot. However, Diantha is impressed by Rex’s honesty, and in turn, he is impressed by her reasoning. So they agree to marry in a union of convenience – Rex for her fortune and Diantha for his title and her freedom or so they try to make themselves believe..
Rex only agrees to take the minimum amount in the marriage settlement, enough to pay the debts. Diantha reasons with him to let her transfer more money to him so that the estate tenants homes can be improved.
There is definitely love in the air for Diantha’s cousins. There’s a mystery surrounding Diantha’s father & then there’s Lady Bartlett.
Another well written novel from the author that had me turning the pages. Rex & Diantha are likeable & their attraction to each other is obvious to everyone but it takes the Battle of Waterloo & its immediate aftermath for them to get their HEA.
I received an ARC copy
November 11, 2016
Uff...
So, yeah, in general I enjoyed this story especially because of the storyline and the main character - a lady who doesn't believe in love.
I just love her. In the beginning. Why? She dislikes women who give into love, passion, dislikes that they would accept an unfaithful husband. No wonder when you find out about her parents' story. So, I love her for that.
But then, after their marriage, she's just a flirty, immature brat. I cannot believe she would toy with young men that she would need this whole flirting. I can't grasp why she would encourage them only to have her fun with them and then let them fall. She's just evil. And that didn't fulfill my expectations in the slightest.
Rex?
Hah.
Dude...
I kinda adored him for a while there because he is your typical mysterious guy in a historic romance. You know he has a secret, you just know there is something in his past but it takes a while until it is revealed and until then you keep asking yourself: Is he in love with his wife? If yes, why doesn't he tell her?
In that case, I think the secret was a bit too blown up. But I still liked Rex just because he tries to keep his wife by trying not to show his emotions. And that's adorable.
Plot?
I really, really disliked the ending. The whole story was kinda flowing and then suddenly everything happened at once. There was lots of drama in there and it was all super unrealistic and so not authentic. A woman looking for her husband on the battlefield? Three men returning from war with no serious injuries? Lucky...
Everything was just blown up out of proportion... Plus, a married woman flirting like her? Society would go mad. There would be a lot of talking.
All in all, it was an okay romance but I just expected more...
So, yeah, in general I enjoyed this story especially because of the storyline and the main character - a lady who doesn't believe in love.
I just love her. In the beginning. Why? She dislikes women who give into love, passion, dislikes that they would accept an unfaithful husband. No wonder when you find out about her parents' story. So, I love her for that.
But then, after their marriage, she's just a flirty, immature brat. I cannot believe she would toy with young men that she would need this whole flirting. I can't grasp why she would encourage them only to have her fun with them and then let them fall. She's just evil. And that didn't fulfill my expectations in the slightest.
Rex?
Hah.
Dude...
I kinda adored him for a while there because he is your typical mysterious guy in a historic romance. You know he has a secret, you just know there is something in his past but it takes a while until it is revealed and until then you keep asking yourself: Is he in love with his wife? If yes, why doesn't he tell her?
In that case, I think the secret was a bit too blown up. But I still liked Rex just because he tries to keep his wife by trying not to show his emotions. And that's adorable.
Plot?
I really, really disliked the ending. The whole story was kinda flowing and then suddenly everything happened at once. There was lots of drama in there and it was all super unrealistic and so not authentic. A woman looking for her husband on the battlefield? Three men returning from war with no serious injuries? Lucky...
Everything was just blown up out of proportion... Plus, a married woman flirting like her? Society would go mad. There would be a lot of talking.
All in all, it was an okay romance but I just expected more...
September 11, 2016
I generally enjoyed this re-issue of a 1996 book (I like the new cover much better) but the ending really killed it for me. It was a book with fairly low-level drama until the end when it suddenly got ramped up rather needlessly. I feel like this was rather typical of historical categories but I honestly wasn't really reading those at the time so it's a vague sort of notion.
Diantha is a major heiress who has all sorts of fortune hunters who are after her money, even though she's only one generation removed from having earned it. But her mother's family is posh so the most needy gentleman are willing to overlook her background. Too bad she can't be tricked into marriage because she doesn't believe in love. In fact, the man who finally manages to convince her is Rex, the one man who also doesn't believe in love. Rather, he puts the marriage to her as a sort of business deal. And those are terms she can accept. They deal rather well together, even her mild flirtations cause no Big Misunderstandings (so refreshing!). There are some rather nice subplots with marriages of love that start to have both characters questioning their earlier stance and then... Big Misunderstanding! Drama! And... le sigh. This may not be a deal breaker for others but it dropped the book a full star for me.
Diantha is a major heiress who has all sorts of fortune hunters who are after her money, even though she's only one generation removed from having earned it. But her mother's family is posh so the most needy gentleman are willing to overlook her background. Too bad she can't be tricked into marriage because she doesn't believe in love. In fact, the man who finally manages to convince her is Rex, the one man who also doesn't believe in love. Rather, he puts the marriage to her as a sort of business deal. And those are terms she can accept. They deal rather well together, even her mild flirtations cause no Big Misunderstandings (so refreshing!). There are some rather nice subplots with marriages of love that start to have both characters questioning their earlier stance and then... Big Misunderstanding! Drama! And... le sigh. This may not be a deal breaker for others but it dropped the book a full star for me.
January 2, 2017
Love this author
I've enjoyed every book of LG'S I've read so far. This one did not disappoint. The characters are unique and well drawn. The ending had me on the edge of my seat. I was only disappointed in the very final pages. The solution was fascinating but seemed too abrupt and contrived. I just wasn't ready for it to end. Since most authors have the opposite problem, meandering on and on trying to find their way out of the story, I 'd much rather read one of Ms Gordon's novels any day.
I'll continue to look forward to her next novel. ( Thanks for all your incredibly hard work.)
I've enjoyed every book of LG'S I've read so far. This one did not disappoint. The characters are unique and well drawn. The ending had me on the edge of my seat. I was only disappointed in the very final pages. The solution was fascinating but seemed too abrupt and contrived. I just wasn't ready for it to end. Since most authors have the opposite problem, meandering on and on trying to find their way out of the story, I 'd much rather read one of Ms Gordon's novels any day.
I'll continue to look forward to her next novel. ( Thanks for all your incredibly hard work.)
January 30, 2019
I would like to thank netgalley and Endeavour Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
An interesting tale that goes from the ballrooms of London to the frontline at Waterloo.
Diantha does not believe in love and finds the perfect husband for herself, Rex who also doesn't believe in love. Determined not to fall in love with him, she settles into life as a countess. However, Napoleon has other ideas.
An interesting tale that goes from the ballrooms of London to the frontline at Waterloo.
Diantha does not believe in love and finds the perfect husband for herself, Rex who also doesn't believe in love. Determined not to fall in love with him, she settles into life as a countess. However, Napoleon has other ideas.
September 18, 2016
Well, this was a nice story, a bit of a change from my usual reading.
The characters were interesting and the plot enjoyable. It was kind of predictable but i had fun reading it anyway.
I think it was the setting that made it interesting to me, I really enjoy stories of the Regency period, the society, the balls, the manners...
Overall i enjoyed it.
I got this book through NetGalley.
The characters were interesting and the plot enjoyable. It was kind of predictable but i had fun reading it anyway.
I think it was the setting that made it interesting to me, I really enjoy stories of the Regency period, the society, the balls, the manners...
Overall i enjoyed it.
I got this book through NetGalley.
September 25, 2009
Regency
October 10, 2016
This was a charming historical romance.
The conclusion felt. But rushed and truly I was hoping for more time spent with the MCS as a happy couple. It felt rather anticlimactic.
The conclusion felt. But rushed and truly I was hoping for more time spent with the MCS as a happy couple. It felt rather anticlimactic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2020
18.12.2020 - čítané druhý krát - nedočítané.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews