Duel Of Hearts

by Elizabeth Mansfield

Seeking to win the heart of the desirable Edward for the sake of her rival, Sarah vows to keep her own feelings unruffled and launches a coy plan, which backfires when, despite herself, she experiences love. Reissue.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Clean Romance

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Elizabeth 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.

Reviews

[Rebekah]

The narrator of this story was way over the top and cartoonish. Sarah, our heroine was really stupid, making very bad choices in an effort to protect our hero, Edward, from being killed in a duel. In an effort to keep the plot moving, Edward was not up front with Sarah that he was a crack shot, which might have prevented the whole complication. On the good side, it was refreshing to have the dangerous rake actually be the bad guy instead of the hero in disguise. This is the second Mansfield I have re-read in which the heroine behaves really stupidly. Other than that, I did like the h/h and was glad the little coquette got her comeuppance.

[seton]

My first EM. And my last.
I cannot remember the last time I have come across a regency writer that was this bloody clueless about the titles of the peerage. I just couldnt take it anymore: it was so bad.
She used "Earl" as if it was a first name. She had a Marquis use his last name as if it was his title. She didnt know the difference between a Lady Hester Stanhope and just Lady Stanhope and yes, there was a difference. I could go on but she was just hopeless.

[Nenya]

Finally! A book where the rake is actually the villain, and does dastardly, villainous acts, instead of being the 'reformed' by the heroine!

Loved the way the beautiful cousin wasn't shown totally mean, but swept away by her power over people.

Kudos to Elizabeth Mansfield. It's a funny, sweet romance. Bit boring in the last 1/4th, but she wraps it up quickly.

[Elizabeth]

While there were some issues with the use of titles, I found some simple details of life in this period to be well thought out. The story itself is based on the characters' inability to communicate and was a touch frustrating but the humour early on the book is good. 3.5 romance stars

[Kathy]

“Duel of Hearts” by Elizabeth Mansfield

An entertaining, well written Regency romance told in the witty, clever style of Georgette Heyer. If you love her books you will love this one too. Recommended.

[Cathy]

I don't know why there is no cover for this reissued book. This book was convoluted with misunderstandings. The secondary female character was unlikable and the cause of many of the problems. I did like both main characters.

[Hannah]

An enjoyable regency romance. Fenella Fudge does a lovely job on the audiobook.

[Sybil Mcguire]

good

[Janet]

I enjoyed this story very much! Sweet!

[ChristineZ]

Some fun characters and some humour, such as Sarah’s cap and some of Corianne’s letters. Well-paced story. Light on romance but the two main characters are great.

[Ellen]

Fun read and I liked the main characters. The only character that I didn’t quite believe was North.

[Heather]

I can't be bothered writing a review for this book except to say, don't bother.

[Adrienne]

I borrowed this book from a coworker and I thought it was a lot of fun! It did have some plot issues - the random subplot introduced to get the characters together,for example. And it was a bit annoying how both the hero kept insisting the heroine must love the despicable rake who was creepily possessive of her. But other than that, I really liked all the characters, and Heyers influence was really obvious, especially in the dialogue and slang. A fun, frothy read.

[MB (What she read)]

Not my favorite by far. All characters were silly and melodramatic. I much prefer reading about female characters who manage to use their brains and/or save themselves (not found in this book, to it's detriment).

[Sarah]

OK.. I admit it. I have a weakness for Regency Romances, well, clean romances. I think it stems from my love of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte and all things British.

[Sylvia]

Regency

[Scwong0]

3.8*

[Kati Polodna]

Fun little romp.