The Clergyman's Daughter

by Julia Jeffries

Outraged by the elopement of his brother to Jessica, a poor parson's daughter, aristocrat Graham Foxe is unexpectedly attracted to the widowed Jessica years later and refuses to let her leave the family estate. Reissue.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Regency, Historical

217 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know when a "romance" starts with a near-rape scene that it's not going to go well. Granted, a talented author like Mary Balogh might be able to pull it off, but I have a hard time imagining her putting something like that in one of her books. This is not a regency romance, let's get that clear. It's a modern romance with a gothic flavor nominally set during regency times. The characters do not ring true for the time and the setting and story line are much more gothic in nature than romantic.

It was bad enough that the "hero" assaults and threatens to rape the then virginal heroine, but later he loses his temper and nearly kills someone. This is not the kind of man you want in charge of your life.

Women in Regency England had little legal protection, so the thought of having a man like that as a husband should have left the heroine in despair. But, because she "loves" him, something that happens between one chapter and another, the author forgetting to include that revelation in the book, she is okay with his horrid behavior.

Then there are the oddly modern subplots involving gang rape, asexuality, and so on, and this book is a complete mess. I don't even know why I finished it, inertia, I guess. But, when I was done, it went in the trash. Truly horrible book.

[T. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I purchased the paperback version of this book back in the 1980’s because I had purchased, read and liked Ms. Jeffries book The Chadwick Ring. The problem is that I never got around to reading it. Yes, that is a price I am sorry to pay. When I got my first Kindle, I promised my DH that I wouldn’t purchase any more paper books and would go digital. I decided to try to get my paper library as a digital one. So, when I found this book available as a Kindle book, I purchased it. Again, a price I’m sorry to pay. Now, six years after purchasing the Kindle version, I have finally gotten around to reading it.

You know, I appreciate when a historical romance author tries to keep things real. I really do. However, in the first chapter, Ms. Jeffries has Jessica, the main female character, almost raped by Graham, the male character who will soon become the main male character of this story. Soon after, we find out that Jessica’s lady’s maid had been gang raped by a group of nobles. There was nothing enjoyable about this book and I can say that I hated all the characters in it. This is not the relaxing and entertaining read I had been hoping for. I can’t believe I paid for it twice!

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately terribly anachronistic, although the bones were good. Not a re-read.

[Spazfungus · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok, high in drama, at the end the main characters kinda fell out of character



Jessica is carried off by Andrew to be secretly wed. Because of their respective stations, their marriage is frowned upon, and their relationship suffers. after andrew's death, Jessica runs away and has her daughter. By chance Graham finds her and brings her home. it turns out, andrew had a innocent secret crush on Jessica, but because of gossip and rebellion, decides to marry Jessica. Graham thought Jessica was a scheming miss, but upon meeting her feel in love at first sight, but was unable to express that love with anything but anger. In turn, and kind of out of spite, Jessica agrees to Andrew's proposal and everyone was unhappy. In the end Graham breaks his engagement, decides to marry Jessica who reveals she was the mysterious satirical cartoonist who was making fun of him

[tacitus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the intensity of this one, even if at times the "bad behavior" of the hero overstepped the line, making him more of a monster than anything else. When you get to that scene, you'll know what I mean, and his "being drunk" is not a good enough excuse.

As far historical accuracy goes, it is quite good except for one thing. I am relatively certain that at this time a woman could not marry her dead husband's brother. Likewise, a man could not marry his brother's widow. It was, legally speaking, considered a kind of incest. I may be wrong. They may have changed that law by then, but I don't think so.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it while I read it but now I'm having trouble remembering anything. For sure the villain was awful. Lots of angst/lust/misunderstandings and ultimately an HEA. So just like a lot of Signet Regencies. Not a keeper.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Married to a younger son a young woman widowed and pregnant finds living with her tiled brother in law humiliating and escapes.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Regency

[Paganalexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first "grown up" romances I ever read. Can't remember much more than heaving bosoms, but it retains a special place in my heart.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly good read from 1989 (and I'm not being condescending).
Replace the front cover of the book, and you would think it an up-to-date Regency story.
A very enjoyable read.

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haha CUTE! It was definitely a decent read, more than decent and I was quite impressed with it.