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Friendship #12
To Jilt a Corinthian
Beatrice Allardyce is too busy for something as inconsequential as marriage. And love? A waste of time when there are so many books to read and a father who needs her care. Getting caught in a compromising situation with the haughty Sir Jocelyn Warfield is not part of her agenda. Intrigued by her intelligence and keen sense of social responsibility, Sir Jocelyn finds himself caught in fascination's snare with a female who has to be constantly reminded that he’s not a man easily discounted. Or discouraged. Quite the opposite. All he has to do is make her believe that he’s her best bet.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2018
480 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Julia Donner
33 books143 followersJulia Donner (aka M.L.Rigdon) grew up in historic Galena, IL, USA, and spent most of her time in the museum of her aunt, who encouraged her interest in history and understood the need to cherish a dream. She started writing in secret in her teens and never stopped, merging it with her mother's encouragement to study theater and music, which led to performing in the Midwest, California and as far away as Austria.
Donner never forgot what it was like to write alone as a girl and is a happy member of Summit City Scribes. Concern for the failing educational system led her to develop Your Futures in Ink, a panel of local and regional authors, who go into to schools to encourage students and answer questions about writing.
THE TIGRESSE AND THE RAVEN, first book in the regency Friendship Series, is an RWA contest finalist. The ninth book in the series, A ROGUE FOR MISS PRIM and the tenth, AN AMERICAN FOR AGNES, are available now. A LAIRD’S PROMISE will be released by Spring 2018.
Donner never forgot what it was like to write alone as a girl and is a happy member of Summit City Scribes. Concern for the failing educational system led her to develop Your Futures in Ink, a panel of local and regional authors, who go into to schools to encourage students and answer questions about writing.
THE TIGRESSE AND THE RAVEN, first book in the regency Friendship Series, is an RWA contest finalist. The ninth book in the series, A ROGUE FOR MISS PRIM and the tenth, AN AMERICAN FOR AGNES, are available now. A LAIRD’S PROMISE will be released by Spring 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 28, 2020
I was at 80% with To Jilt a Corinthian: And it ended!
Where was the rest of the story? I don’t want a download that’s got 20% about some other books! I was expecting a longer story and then it just came to an end. No real tension or depth or development. Disappointing. I hate it when authors do this. And I though Amazon had banned 'extra content' that was more than 10%
Where was the rest of the story? I don’t want a download that’s got 20% about some other books! I was expecting a longer story and then it just came to an end. No real tension or depth or development. Disappointing. I hate it when authors do this. And I though Amazon had banned 'extra content' that was more than 10%
August 17, 2018
This is the first book I've read in Julia Donner's Friendship Series, and it was a complete delight! I appreciated that I didn't have to be familiar with previous characters to enjoy this exceptional tale of book-loving, educated Beatrice and dashing Joss, a.k.a Sir Jocelyn Warfield and their topsy-turvy road to wedded bliss. What begins as a marriage of convenience grows into much more, but not without plenty of hurdles along the way.
Ms. Donner's grasp of the era, mannerisms, and society nuances are spot on, leaving the reader fully immersed in the setting and time period. Her writing is flawless and the dialogue --much of it clever repartee -- a pleasure to read. Now that I've discovered the series, I fully intend to go back and read some of the previous novels to experience the stories of earlier characters. I have no doubt their tales will be every bit as exceptional and enjoyable as that of Beatrice and Joss.
Ms. Donner's grasp of the era, mannerisms, and society nuances are spot on, leaving the reader fully immersed in the setting and time period. Her writing is flawless and the dialogue --much of it clever repartee -- a pleasure to read. Now that I've discovered the series, I fully intend to go back and read some of the previous novels to experience the stories of earlier characters. I have no doubt their tales will be every bit as exceptional and enjoyable as that of Beatrice and Joss.
June 30, 2020
Different from what I’m used to but still so lovely!
July 10, 2021
A nice short romance story.
August 2, 2020
Thoughts: Very different from other Regency novels. I loved that we got such a look at what Joss thought so often. He was so caring, careful, and loving. Bea was really such an odd, caring, sheltered person that she really was out of step with society. They were perfect together. Recommended
June 23, 2020
A laugh out loud story
I love a book that makes you laugh out loud. Had to read parts of it to my husband to share the humor. A good story with a Twist.
I love a book that makes you laugh out loud. Had to read parts of it to my husband to share the humor. A good story with a Twist.
June 15, 2020
I love romance novels but this one has it all. The heroine was smart, independent and sensitive. The hero was the same. A true meeting of the minds. Julia Donner is great.
July 17, 2020
This book started off really cute and fun. I have high hopes for a sweet romance with maybe a little bit of spiciness. Then things took a turn and the hero did some not so great things and kind of ruined the rest of the book for me.
By the end I could not like Joss. And Beatrice was too forgiving. I couldn't believe any love could grow when there was such anger and destructive passion between them. I just did not like that. Which was really unfortunate because there were some very sweet and lovely moments in this book. I could've really liked it. But a couple major arguments and misunderstandings and a practical assault being their first time together put me off this book. It was disappointing.
By the end I could not like Joss. And Beatrice was too forgiving. I couldn't believe any love could grow when there was such anger and destructive passion between them. I just did not like that. Which was really unfortunate because there were some very sweet and lovely moments in this book. I could've really liked it. But a couple major arguments and misunderstandings and a practical assault being their first time together put me off this book. It was disappointing.
June 2, 2020
To Jilt a Corinthian
Although this number twelve Of the Friendship Series is the my first introduction, I enjoyed the atmosphere presented. I’m looking forward to the others.
Although this number twelve Of the Friendship Series is the my first introduction, I enjoyed the atmosphere presented. I’m looking forward to the others.
May 29, 2020
Sparring conversation
between two intelligent people, sexual attraction and completion without being a manual, and a knowledge of and respect for the conventions of a Regency romance.
between two intelligent people, sexual attraction and completion without being a manual, and a knowledge of and respect for the conventions of a Regency romance.
October 5, 2018
4.5 stars
This is more like it! The prior book didn’t quite meet my high expectations for Ms. Donner, but here, she’s back in fine form. It’s an excellent, clever read.
This is more like it! The prior book didn’t quite meet my high expectations for Ms. Donner, but here, she’s back in fine form. It’s an excellent, clever read.
March 31, 2019
Cute story...an uplifted, so to speak...no sex for a change,that was nice..lately all Regency novels seem to be full of it...this book was fun, not too long, and satisfying at the end..
August 13, 2019
The beginning had quite a promise, Beatrice is very intellectual and empirical and has no desire to get married. She lives with her father who is an ageing vicar and has, unknown to his daughter, been in love with a local lady for years. Only he adores and genuinely respects his daughter so will not do anything about it.
The whole parish knows and has for years tried to subtly get the heroine married, pressurizing several (I think six) men to propose to her. Which she, not being interested in marriage, has of course refuses.
Beatrice has no particular liking for Sir Jocelyn when they first meet. The whole engagement is a result of somewhat farcical events - Beatrice is making a trifle for the dinner party and does not realize how much sherry she consumes in the process. As a result, she is decidedly foxed during the party but doesn't really understand how bad things are until she throws up on the terrace. Sir Jocelyn is helping her and they are found by gossipy guests with him holding her. Cue compromise and proposal.
Beatrice tries to refuse the proposal the next day but Sir Jocelyn, who really likes her, enlightens her about her fathers' situation and the truth of all the previous proposals. He also promises to get her published and lies that he owns a publishing company. Beatrice has to admit that marriage makes the most sense in her situation and eventually agrees.
So far I had kind of liked Sir Jocelyn.
Then they get married and he gradually starts treating her like crap, lashing out at her, insulting her, pressing his advances, brutally deflowering her. All because his wittle male ego cannot handle the fact that his wife is not as enamoured with him as he is with her. Beatrice takes it as a brave little soldier but I started gritting my teeth. He does some inner contemplation and then promptly returns to being an ass, rinse and repeat.
I was getting quite growly at that stage.
On the bright side, he mostly redeems himself.
Still, I cannot stress enough how much I loved no-nonsense, reasonable and bookish Beatrice. Whatever the book implies, learning and intellectual pursuits will always be her priority. You go, girl! :D
The whole parish knows and has for years tried to subtly get the heroine married, pressurizing several (I think six) men to propose to her. Which she, not being interested in marriage, has of course refuses.
Beatrice has no particular liking for Sir Jocelyn when they first meet. The whole engagement is a result of somewhat farcical events - Beatrice is making a trifle for the dinner party and does not realize how much sherry she consumes in the process. As a result, she is decidedly foxed during the party but doesn't really understand how bad things are until she throws up on the terrace. Sir Jocelyn is helping her and they are found by gossipy guests with him holding her. Cue compromise and proposal.
Beatrice tries to refuse the proposal the next day but Sir Jocelyn, who really likes her, enlightens her about her fathers' situation and the truth of all the previous proposals. He also promises to get her published and lies that he owns a publishing company. Beatrice has to admit that marriage makes the most sense in her situation and eventually agrees.
So far I had kind of liked Sir Jocelyn.
Then they get married and he gradually starts treating her like crap, lashing out at her, insulting her, pressing his advances, brutally deflowering her. All because his wittle male ego cannot handle the fact that his wife is not as enamoured with him as he is with her. Beatrice takes it as a brave little soldier but I started gritting my teeth. He does some inner contemplation and then promptly returns to being an ass, rinse and repeat.
I was getting quite growly at that stage.
On the bright side, he mostly redeems himself.
Still, I cannot stress enough how much I loved no-nonsense, reasonable and bookish Beatrice. Whatever the book implies, learning and intellectual pursuits will always be her priority. You go, girl! :D
June 2, 2020
Nice and light.
Beatrice Allardyce is not in the first flush of youth and is more interested in discussing philosophy and helping her clerical father in his diocese. Sir Jocelyn Warfield is a well known Corinthian with a reputation where women are concerned but, to date, none have caught his attention. His first sight of her is of her derrière
sticking up in the air while she is crawling head first through a fence to capture a recalcitrant piglet! Once she has extracted herself from the fence and returned the piglet to its elderly owner she immediately takes Joss to task for eyeing her through his monocle. She has always considered the practice rude and makes no bones of telling the perfectly turned out Corinthian so. There she stood in her muddied clothes while was perfection itself. How these two very different personalities find themselves married has some funny moments and makes for a very nice story.
Beatrice Allardyce is not in the first flush of youth and is more interested in discussing philosophy and helping her clerical father in his diocese. Sir Jocelyn Warfield is a well known Corinthian with a reputation where women are concerned but, to date, none have caught his attention. His first sight of her is of her derrière
sticking up in the air while she is crawling head first through a fence to capture a recalcitrant piglet! Once she has extracted herself from the fence and returned the piglet to its elderly owner she immediately takes Joss to task for eyeing her through his monocle. She has always considered the practice rude and makes no bones of telling the perfectly turned out Corinthian so. There she stood in her muddied clothes while was perfection itself. How these two very different personalities find themselves married has some funny moments and makes for a very nice story.
September 5, 2019
I found the first few pages sort of corny and was a bit disappointed, but the "rough spot" was quickly overcome. With "jilting" in the title, our heroine could have been very resistant to her wooing, but this was delightfully not the case. She is intelligent and pragmatic, quickly realizes she has not much choice, thus saving the reader from reading endless refusals.
There are quick-witted battles of words, something I especially enjoy, while our H and h grow closer. In contrast with some of the other books in this series, there is no danger or mystery, just a nasty Lady Richmond stirring up a bit of trouble for our heroine.
There are quick-witted battles of words, something I especially enjoy, while our H and h grow closer. In contrast with some of the other books in this series, there is no danger or mystery, just a nasty Lady Richmond stirring up a bit of trouble for our heroine.
June 3, 2020
Beatrice and Joss
Bea has been raised by her vicar father for a long time. Even when her mother's lived, her father fed her love for knowledge. She has been helping her father with everything household related and many things ministerial since she was 9.
When she stops to help a elderly lady whose piglet has escaped the house, she's finds herself unable to extract the piglet and herself from the pig pen fence. The lady is too small to reach the piglet and she's out of ideas until she heard a deep, male voice.
Great story, amazing characters, and an entertaining take. Must read!
Bea has been raised by her vicar father for a long time. Even when her mother's lived, her father fed her love for knowledge. She has been helping her father with everything household related and many things ministerial since she was 9.
When she stops to help a elderly lady whose piglet has escaped the house, she's finds herself unable to extract the piglet and herself from the pig pen fence. The lady is too small to reach the piglet and she's out of ideas until she heard a deep, male voice.
Great story, amazing characters, and an entertaining take. Must read!
January 23, 2023
Beatrice meets her match.
I liked the first part of this book and I liked the end but I did not like the middle because somewhere between these two parts, the strong, opinionated Beatrice disappeared, fortunately, she reappeared.
Good, strong main characters in Beatrice and Joss, the minor ones where not bad, they lent themselves well to the development of the story.
The book was easy to read and provided some light, entertaining moments, especially in the beginning and towards the end.
I liked the first part of this book and I liked the end but I did not like the middle because somewhere between these two parts, the strong, opinionated Beatrice disappeared, fortunately, she reappeared.
Good, strong main characters in Beatrice and Joss, the minor ones where not bad, they lent themselves well to the development of the story.
The book was easy to read and provided some light, entertaining moments, especially in the beginning and towards the end.
May 31, 2020
Finished it but not for me.
Liked the main characters and enjoyed watching them change and grow as well as growing closer. Sex was within marriage but descriptive enough that I kept skipping over it. If you don't mind this, book was okay, not great. No surprises, just the usual love story of the times.
Liked the main characters and enjoyed watching them change and grow as well as growing closer. Sex was within marriage but descriptive enough that I kept skipping over it. If you don't mind this, book was okay, not great. No surprises, just the usual love story of the times.
June 10, 2020
To Jilt a Corinthian (The Friendship Series Book 12)
The love story of Beatrice and Jocelyn. Bea and Jocelyn are you on by Lady Richardson, a know gossiper. So Jocelyn as Bea to marry him to stop the gossip. Can they find happiness? Great story. It is book 12 in the series but you do do not have to read them in order.
The love story of Beatrice and Jocelyn. Bea and Jocelyn are you on by Lady Richardson, a know gossiper. So Jocelyn as Bea to marry him to stop the gossip. Can they find happiness? Great story. It is book 12 in the series but you do do not have to read them in order.
September 6, 2021
An entertaining read, it had some humour. The unfolding of the relationship between Beatrice and Joss felt like what might well have happened in those times, two people who barely know each other marrying and learning to value each other.
I liked that Beatrice is educated and intelligent and Joss likes that and encourages it.
I liked that Beatrice is educated and intelligent and Joss likes that and encourages it.
November 2, 2022
3 stars because she can write well
But the idea that an "intelligent" woman would believe for a fraction of a moment spiteful words from a woman she knew was a nasty gossip?? I don't think so. Why the conflict? It really wasn't necessary to the plot except to add words and mess up a good story. Ridiculous.
But the idea that an "intelligent" woman would believe for a fraction of a moment spiteful words from a woman she knew was a nasty gossip?? I don't think so. Why the conflict? It really wasn't necessary to the plot except to add words and mess up a good story. Ridiculous.
March 30, 2019
A Regency styled romance with heart!
She is a pastor's daughter and a blue stocking to boot. He is a rake and a Corinthian of note.
He is determined to marry her, even if he has to bribe her to do so!
An excellent story line with well formed characters
She is a pastor's daughter and a blue stocking to boot. He is a rake and a Corinthian of note.
He is determined to marry her, even if he has to bribe her to do so!
An excellent story line with well formed characters
June 6, 2020
Interesting Story
The book was well written and enjoyable enough, but I found it quite difficult to 'take to' the lead male, Sir Jocelyn Warfield, who in Miss Beatrice Allardyce words was 'the worst sort of male, boastful, arrogant and preening' The couple forced into marriage by a malicious female claiming she had caught them in a compromising situation, Beatrice was the daughter of the local Vicar and cared for her father and anyone else who needed help, and couldn't understand what all the 'fuss' was about, but Sir Jocelyn insisted on them marrying. He was supposedly so in love with Beatrice that he was twisted in knots and his jealousy caused him to say some of the most unkind things to her. Beatrice put up with a good deal of nonsense from him and to be quite honest he desired a number of face slaps!! A happy ending was achieved but to my mind Beatrice deserved someone better!!
The book was well written and enjoyable enough, but I found it quite difficult to 'take to' the lead male, Sir Jocelyn Warfield, who in Miss Beatrice Allardyce words was 'the worst sort of male, boastful, arrogant and preening' The couple forced into marriage by a malicious female claiming she had caught them in a compromising situation, Beatrice was the daughter of the local Vicar and cared for her father and anyone else who needed help, and couldn't understand what all the 'fuss' was about, but Sir Jocelyn insisted on them marrying. He was supposedly so in love with Beatrice that he was twisted in knots and his jealousy caused him to say some of the most unkind things to her. Beatrice put up with a good deal of nonsense from him and to be quite honest he desired a number of face slaps!! A happy ending was achieved but to my mind Beatrice deserved someone better!!
June 2, 2020
Interesting story
Rather odd writing style. There were times when in the middle of a paragraph that a new setting or timeframe began with no warning. Adjectives were used that really didn't seem to fit or were just misplaced. Sort of a "what was that supposed to mean"?
Rather odd writing style. There were times when in the middle of a paragraph that a new setting or timeframe began with no warning. Adjectives were used that really didn't seem to fit or were just misplaced. Sort of a "what was that supposed to mean"?
June 17, 2021
Pleasant read
Not overly deep or convoluted but a pleasant enough read. Some of the language was a bit awkward and contrived, and numerous phrases would have been improved with polishing.
Not overly deep or convoluted but a pleasant enough read. Some of the language was a bit awkward and contrived, and numerous phrases would have been improved with polishing.
February 8, 2022
Enjoyable
Really liked Joss and Beatrice as people and a couple, author even had an epilogue. Sore point the book ended at 80% with 20% of advertising for the next in this series and another book in a series of hers,I don't buy books for advertising purposes!!!
Really liked Joss and Beatrice as people and a couple, author even had an epilogue. Sore point the book ended at 80% with 20% of advertising for the next in this series and another book in a series of hers,I don't buy books for advertising purposes!!!
March 28, 2019
Kindle-Free-Freebooksy
June 16, 2020
Not much of a story
Not much of a story. She’s unusual for this time period which was neat. But just as they were getting to know each other it was over.
Not much of a story. She’s unusual for this time period which was neat. But just as they were getting to know each other it was over.
July 3, 2020
Disappointed
I read the whole book hoping for adventure, mystery or something other than does he love me, does she love me on and on. Most boring book I've read in along time. Sad
I read the whole book hoping for adventure, mystery or something other than does he love me, does she love me on and on. Most boring book I've read in along time. Sad
July 27, 2020
Good
Was good and not top fluffy at all, enjoyed Joss being emotional rather than macho all the time. More realistic than other historical romances
Was good and not top fluffy at all, enjoyed Joss being emotional rather than macho all the time. More realistic than other historical romances
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews