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Misfit Maid
A MOST UNORTHODOX DEBUT
Lady Mary Hope, known as Maidie, refuses to allow herself to be pushed into marriage with a man she dislikes. So she presents herself to Laurie, Viscount Delagarde, and asks him to sponsor her for a Season. Laurie is flabbergasted -- as a bachelor he is the least suitable person for such a task. But his aunt Hester has other ideas. When his household is suddenly inundated with women, Laurie knows he has to make a stand -- but will all be for naught when he spies the transformation of Maidie from a dowdy maid to a sparkling diamond?
Lady Mary Hope, known as Maidie, refuses to allow herself to be pushed into marriage with a man she dislikes. So she presents herself to Laurie, Viscount Delagarde, and asks him to sponsor her for a Season. Laurie is flabbergasted -- as a bachelor he is the least suitable person for such a task. But his aunt Hester has other ideas. When his household is suddenly inundated with women, Laurie knows he has to make a stand -- but will all be for naught when he spies the transformation of Maidie from a dowdy maid to a sparkling diamond?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 1999
About the author
Elizabeth Bailey
94 books304 followersAn avid reader from an early age, Elizabeth Bailey grew up in colonial Africa under unconventional parentage and with theatre in the blood. Back in England, she trod the boards until discovering her true métier as a writer in her thirties, when she fulfilled an early addiction to Georgette Heyer by launching into historical romance. Eight years and eight books later, Elizabeth joined the Harlequin Mills & Boon stable, fuelling her writing with a secondary career teaching and directing drama, and writing plays into the bargain.
With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.
Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.
Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.
Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.
With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.
Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.
Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.
Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 9, 2019
Not clean
Although this story is cute, it has an explicit almost love scene. They don't actually consummate but it was still too explicit for my tastes.
I believe this is one of the authors older books which I assume she was adding in explicit scenes for Harlequin readers as I'm finding a pattern in these older books.
I have to say the heroine constantly believing Adela and Eustace did drive me a bit crazy. For an intelligent women she should not have listened to their accusations when she knew it was to their benefit.
Although this story is cute, it has an explicit almost love scene. They don't actually consummate but it was still too explicit for my tastes.
I believe this is one of the authors older books which I assume she was adding in explicit scenes for Harlequin readers as I'm finding a pattern in these older books.
I have to say the heroine constantly believing Adela and Eustace did drive me a bit crazy. For an intelligent women she should not have listened to their accusations when she knew it was to their benefit.
August 26, 2022
Maidie being an heiress, her scheming cousins have made plans to marry her off to a man of their choosing, but whom Maidie hates. Accordingly, she travels secretly to London and inveigles Laurie, Viscount Delagarde, into presenting her. Laurie is horrified by this unconventional girl who's forced her way into his life and threatens to turn it upside-down, possibly destroying his reputation in the process. But when his great-aunt supports Maidie, he realises he has no choice and does his best to at least save her from causing disaster. In the process, though, he begins to realise that maybe she's growing on him... But Maidie's cousins are always in the wings with Eustace, and they won't give up such a prize easily...
Definitely some unconventional behaviour, but if you enjoy that, it's a good story. Maidie and Laurie each seemed a bit slow to see the other's point of view, which made for some good dialogue. I found that I really came to care for them and to be glad when they finally bumbled their way to a happy ending. Oh, and if you like a good villain, Eustace fits the bill beautifully. All in all, somewhat predictable at times but still a good read, with a satisfying ending.
Content: occasional blasphemy (which I could have done without), but otherwise clean. (I note that one reviewer mentions an 'explicit almost-love scene' - either this has been removed/toned down in the editing before reissuing or the other reviewer's definition doesn't match mine. There's one scene that could have headed that direction but it stops before I got uncomfortable.)
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
Definitely some unconventional behaviour, but if you enjoy that, it's a good story. Maidie and Laurie each seemed a bit slow to see the other's point of view, which made for some good dialogue. I found that I really came to care for them and to be glad when they finally bumbled their way to a happy ending. Oh, and if you like a good villain, Eustace fits the bill beautifully. All in all, somewhat predictable at times but still a good read, with a satisfying ending.
Content: occasional blasphemy (which I could have done without), but otherwise clean. (I note that one reviewer mentions an 'explicit almost-love scene' - either this has been removed/toned down in the editing before reissuing or the other reviewer's definition doesn't match mine. There's one scene that could have headed that direction but it stops before I got uncomfortable.)
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
June 1, 2024
Il mio voto è 4.5 stelline.
Questo libro si è rivelato una piacevole sorpresa. Essendo nella collana Harmony non mi aspettavo di trovare una storia così ben scritta.
Di solito non ho molte aspettative su questo tipo di romanzi, sebbene siano delle letture non impegnative e di compagnia.
La storia è davvero ben scritta, scorrevole e a modo suo avvincente.
I personaggi sono ben caratterizzati e quello della protagonista Maidie, spicca sopra ogni altro personaggio rendendo la storia ancora più particolare.
L'unica pecca forse, l'ho trovato sul finale forse troppo sbrigativo. Mi sarebbe piaciuto leggere di un finale più articolato, seguendo lo stesso ritmo dell'intera narrazione.
Capisco di per sè che questo tipo di libri è caratterizzato da una lunghezza di circa 200 pagine, ma un capitolo un po' più strutturato a mio avviso non avrebbe guastato.
Mi ha ricordato per certi versi un po' le dinamiche di Bridgerton, dove i personaggi e le dinamiche escono al di fuori dei costumi e usi del tempo per avvicinarsi a quello che è il nostro pensiero oggi.
Sono curiosa di leggere altri romanzi storici di questa autrice, lo consiglio.
Questo libro si è rivelato una piacevole sorpresa. Essendo nella collana Harmony non mi aspettavo di trovare una storia così ben scritta.
Di solito non ho molte aspettative su questo tipo di romanzi, sebbene siano delle letture non impegnative e di compagnia.
La storia è davvero ben scritta, scorrevole e a modo suo avvincente.
I personaggi sono ben caratterizzati e quello della protagonista Maidie, spicca sopra ogni altro personaggio rendendo la storia ancora più particolare.
L'unica pecca forse, l'ho trovato sul finale forse troppo sbrigativo. Mi sarebbe piaciuto leggere di un finale più articolato, seguendo lo stesso ritmo dell'intera narrazione.
Capisco di per sè che questo tipo di libri è caratterizzato da una lunghezza di circa 200 pagine, ma un capitolo un po' più strutturato a mio avviso non avrebbe guastato.
Mi ha ricordato per certi versi un po' le dinamiche di Bridgerton, dove i personaggi e le dinamiche escono al di fuori dei costumi e usi del tempo per avvicinarsi a quello che è il nostro pensiero oggi.
Sono curiosa di leggere altri romanzi storici di questa autrice, lo consiglio.
August 26, 2022
This was an entertaining read with likeable characters. Lady Mary, was outspoken and tended to say what was in her mind. I did feel sorry for her as she had received little guidance in how to act in society due to the early death of her mother. Her guardian uncle had been a bit eccentric and didn’t venture into society. Although Mary ( also known as Maidie) was happy with him, it hadn’t prepared her for life outside. Laurence, Viscount Delagarde is happy with his life as it is and certainly didn’t want it interrupted by Maidie. I did like the Aunt Hester, she was very mischievous! There are also a few villains in the story to add interest. This book did give the reader an insight to the expected behaviour of people at this time, how it varied, depending on gender and their manner of speech. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 13, 2019
What utter clap trap.
An unknown woman forcing a pear of the realm to sponsor one into society?
I can give books like this some artistic licence, but this is taking it too far. For one thing: Women were not even allowed to go out by themself. Let alone visit a man and were certainly not let into a bachelor's establishment by anyone. For another: what sort of gently bred 'lady' would behave like a self righteous ass by forcing her way into a person's house like that?
Impossible! We're speaking recency upper class London here. I cannot even think of anyone who would be so bold even in this day and age!
Misfit. Full stop!
An unknown woman forcing a pear of the realm to sponsor one into society?
I can give books like this some artistic licence, but this is taking it too far. For one thing: Women were not even allowed to go out by themself. Let alone visit a man and were certainly not let into a bachelor's establishment by anyone. For another: what sort of gently bred 'lady' would behave like a self righteous ass by forcing her way into a person's house like that?
Impossible! We're speaking recency upper class London here. I cannot even think of anyone who would be so bold even in this day and age!
Misfit. Full stop!
August 19, 2022
Maidie enters the story as a force to be reckoned with. Viscount Delagarde puts up a good fight, but his aunt tips the balance and he finds Maidie settling in his townhouse. There are incorrect assumptions about the other by both Maidie and Laurie, which do get a bit tedious. Maidie's gullibility with respect to the whisperings of Adela and Eustace was odd, as she knows they are not looking out for her best interests.
The story is more or less predictable, but an enjoyable bit of escapism. Between liked and really liked, 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
I read an advance copy of the Kindle version; the thoughts expressed are my own.
The story is more or less predictable, but an enjoyable bit of escapism. Between liked and really liked, 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
I read an advance copy of the Kindle version; the thoughts expressed are my own.
February 22, 2018
Maybe due to translation into Dutch, but this book was awful.
The story seemed like it couldn't get started, the characters were shallow...jugh.
It felt like there was no storyline and it didn't go anywhere.
I read to page 85 of 350, after that I tried to skim through. Even that was boooooooring, so DNF.
The story seemed like it couldn't get started, the characters were shallow...jugh.
It felt like there was no storyline and it didn't go anywhere.
I read to page 85 of 350, after that I tried to skim through. Even that was boooooooring, so DNF.
August 16, 2022
This is what I call great!
A brilliant opening to this story and it carried on that way throughout.
The characters were just perfect, every single one of them.
It's clean, it's polished and it reads like a dream and definitely one not to be missed!
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and my voluntary review is recorded above.
A brilliant opening to this story and it carried on that way throughout.
The characters were just perfect, every single one of them.
It's clean, it's polished and it reads like a dream and definitely one not to be missed!
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and my voluntary review is recorded above.
September 23, 2022
I think anyone who prefers a traditional Regency romance (like Georgette Heyer’s) will enjoy Misfit Maid by Elizabeth Bailey. I’m not going to rehash the plot except to say Maidie is a bluestocking and Viscount Delagarde is the unwilling sponsor to the London season. Make that “very unwilling”. If you hadn’t guessed, it’s also funny. I liked it a lot.
August 24, 2022
This story is about a very proper lord with an aunt who decides to help a young lady, Maide, who is also a heiress to find a husband. Despite problems caused by her greedy uncle and wife they end up finding their hea. This is a sweet and clean read
December 29, 2021
This is one of my fav books. I like self willed and unique heroines!
September 4, 2022
While I do like my main characters to squabble a bit, this was mostly annoying.
September 17, 2022
Not up to the author's usual standard. I did not enjoy it and kept skipping pages hoping it would get better.
January 14, 2011
Another trashy romance novel... what can I say =P
June 16, 2012
2,5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews