A Season for the Heart

by Elizabeth Chater

Miss Melpomene Rand's only refuge from a life of monotony and cruelty is the extensive library left to her by her grandfather. The fantastic notions and romantic heroes contained in those books are the only thing that distracts her from the abuse of her adopted family. But then a mysterious stranger, the Earl of Austell, finds they have a mutual malady of boredom, and he endeavors to rescue them both.

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

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Elizabeth Chater (1910-2004) was the author of more than twenty-four novels and countless short stories. She received a B.A. from the University of British Columbia and an M.A. from San Diego State University and joined the faculty of the latter in 1963 where she began a lifelong friendship with science fiction author Greg Bear. She was honored with The Distinguished Teacher award in 1969 and was awarded Outstanding Professor of the Year in 1977. After receiving her Professor Emeritus, she embarked on a new career as a novelist with Richard Curtis as her agent. In the 1950s and 60s she published short stories in Fantastic Universe Magazine and The Saint Mystery Magazine, and she won the Publisher’s Weekly short story contest in 1975. At the age of sixty-eight, she began writing in the romance genre and published twenty-two novels over an eight-year period. She also wrote under the pen names Lee Chater, Lee Chaytor, and Lisa Moore. For more information, please visit: https://elizabethchaterbooks.com.

Reviews

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Season for the Heart by Elizabeth Chater is a delightful traditional Regency romance.

Miss Melpomene Rand is an orphan taken in by her affectionate vicar grandfather. After his unfortunate death, Melpomene then went to live with her uncle, Squire Rand, along with his wife and two daughters.

Another reviewer likened this family's treatment of "Pommy" to that of Cinderella's step-family, and I quite agree. While on an errand for her family, which should have been done by one of her uncle's servants, Pommy ends up soaked in the rain and takes refuge at the local inn. There she literally bumps into Derek Masterson, the Earl of Austell. The earl is quite struck by her personality, and when he learns of how she is treated at home endeavors to be of assistance to her.

What I like:

*The style of this author reminds me of Barbara Metzger, whom I adore! Finally, I've discovered another new-to-me author of authentic feeling clean Regency romance!

*Pommy and the Earl are both awesome characters. So much wit to be found in the dialogue, and they have a love of books in common which shines through!

*The humor in this story surrounding the actions of the characters is very enjoyable. There are two other romances in this book, and their instant interest in each other is one of many things Chater intentionally meant to be amusing, I believe. I'm pretty sure I laughed out loud while reading this one.

What I didn't like:

*This isn't a strong dislike, and it may be the fault of translating the book to Kindle format. I found a couple vocabulary mistakes. Not many. The one that stands out in my mind is "historical female" rather than hysterical.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a traditional/clean Regency romance! I quickly devoured another Chater book after this one, and have started yet another one. I am really enjoying this author.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a little puzzled by the low review marks because I think this is one of the best regency romances I have read in years. Gallant Lord Austell rescues orphan 'Pommie' from the clutches of a cruel aunt and uncle and 2 bratty sisters. She is taken to be the 'companion' to his sister-in-law. A country girl at heart, nevertheless, she has been raised and finely educated by her late grandfather and has more beneath the surface than anyone ever expected. Do you like romances? This little gem has THREE: One that is a forgone conclusion, one that is a surprise, and one that comes clear out of deep center field. The late author writes in the style of the great Georgette Heyer and that is a GOOD thing. With great authenticity, the author liberally uses the lingo, slang, and dialogue of that day, along with historically accurate depictions of inns, scenery, manners, dialogue, costumes, manor houses, and class behavior. The dialogue is madly humorous as the author pokes fun at some of her characters a la Jane Austen. The author turned out 24 other novels and this reader intends to look into more of her offerings. Highly recommended by this incurable romantic!

[Mela · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable reading. Regency romance that didn't make me annoyed (like many others of the genre). Without Heyer's and Austen's depth, but nice to read.

[3 stars]

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out with promise, but slowly went downhill for me. I had high hopes for this one too. It has a Cinderella feel to it. Pommy is an orphan and has been taken in by her mean Aunt and two stepsisters. They are verbally abusing and have practically made her a servant in her own house. She uses books to escape and has quite the imagination. She has a love of life and is kind to people. She bumps into our hero at the local tavern and he finds himself sucked into her world. He sweeps her away and takes her to London to be a companion for his depressed sister-in-law.

I liked our heroine Pommy, although I was beyond frustrated that we were never told her age (or Derek's for that matter). Since everyone around her were constantly treating her like a child and since Derek and his sister-in-law were always calling her "child" or "infant" I couldn't help picturing her as being very young. It wasn't until about 77% in that its hinted that she is at least over twenty-one, although it still doesn't say her age. So, if she is in fact over twenty-one, why do they keep treating her like such a baby?

As for the romance I found it totally lacking. I guess I couldn't get over him being twenty years older (I'm guessing between 45-50) and the fact that he never treated her like he was in love. Like another review said, it was more the kind of love between a father and daughter. Its clear he cares for her, but there was no passion. It just never seemed like he viewed her as a grown woman, maybe its the stupid pet names, but he seemed really condescending.

I also thought the book was overly descriptive. I ended up skimming most of it just to get it done. Overall, it just wasn't for me.


Content
Romance: Boringly clean. G
Language: None
Violence: Mild

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Melpomene Rand is a virtual unpaid servant in her family's home. Her aunt and cousins never miss a chance to abuse her. Pommy, given a classical education by her grandfather, retreats into fantasy to escape the boredom of her terrible life. She envisions herself as a Blighted Heroine whom everyone will regret abusing in the end. When she discovers a plot to hold up her family's carriage on the way to London, she sees her chance to be real life heroine. Fleeing the local inn's public room for help, she literally runs into Derek Masterson, the Earl of Austell who possesses a literary and romantic mind as well. Upon hearing Pommy's tale, he's determined to help. The Earl's interest in Pommy leads him to hire her as a companion for his grieving sister-in-law. He hopes Pommy's lively nature will encourage the beautiful widow out into Society again. Along the way to London, they rescue a damsel in distress with possible disastrous consequences. Pommy hatches plan after plan to rescue her beloved benefactor from an unwanted marriage. Together with the Earl's heir, Gareth, she comes up with a perfect plan. However, Lady Masterston has her own schemes at hand, as does Derek; plans which include making Pommy a permanent fixture in his life.

This is a cute romance, along the lines of a Georgette Heyer plot. I loved Pommy from the outset. Fans of Anne of Green Gables will instantly find a kindred spirit in Pommy and her vivid imagination. Derek's lively mind makes a nice change for a hero. He isn't brooding, just bored, and he isn't a dandy, Corinthian or Nonesuch. He's just a gentleman. At times though, he acts a little too forceful for my liking. The secondary characters are not as well drawn. They provide a few chuckles but nothing more. The plot doesn't quite reach the level of Georgette Heyer or Barbara Metzger. It starts off well enough but then the author relies on too many familiar tropes to make it truly outrageous. The story is largely built on misunderstandings, which I hate. It's my pet peeve that characters don't just talk to each other. The ending is a tiny bit rushed. I would have preferred a more drawn out romantic scene out of one of Pommy's novels, but it's sweet. This book is totally clean- not even any kisses and definitely nothing that would put Georgette Heyer to the blush. I'm not sure Jane Austen would have found it witty enough for her tastes and Miss Heyer may have rankled at the copying of her genre, but fans of both those ladies will enjoy this one for sure.

[Sheri Mahalick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s difficult to find a regency in the Heyer or Austen traditions. It’s unnecessary to equal them, but I find that too many authors are imitating the madcap schemes and exaggerating them; creating characters so quirky as to be bizarre; and worst of all inserting modern conversations about birth control and sexual liberation that feel jarring and intellectually lazy.
Fortunately none of that applies to this book! The romantic pairings are good, the characters three dimensional and the adventures a light romp.
The second half feels slightly convoluted to me, but nothing over which I grew impatient.
Other reviewers have stated that the age gap feels a little odd and I’m not sure the author made the right call in placing them (according to the estimation of a character in the novel) around 20 years apart. The characters don’t act like they’re 20 years apart. Left to my own devices I would’ve estimated 15 years difference, which somehow isn’t that bad for the era or this type of regency novel. So I suggest listening to this novel with the assumption that Lady Masterson‘s estimation of the age difference is just a little bit off.
I would say this is a lot closer to Heyer’s style than Austen’s (let’s get real, no one can imitate Austen) and while she doesn’t equal Heyer’s wonderful syntax or plotting, there is a sweetness that the author brings to the table in the character of Melpomene Rand that is entirely her own offering.

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just what I needed for a weekend when the smallest person in the house was struck with Noro. There are only so many times you can change duvets and sheets and remain calm. This was a delight and helped keep a veneer of control up.

Was it deep and meaningful. No.
Did it have issues. Yes.
Was a delightful light romp. Also yes

[Pauline Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun! It was completely frivolous and silly, and yet there was something about it that just resonated with me. It helped that the hero is my favourite kind - sensible, honourable and witty, just the sort of man a hard-pressed heroine wants to be able to turn to in a crisis.

Here’s the premise: Miss Melpomene (!) Rand, called Pommy for short, is an orphan. Raised by her classical scholar grandfather, and now living as an unpaid and badly treated servant in her aunt and uncle’s house, she’s sent out in the rain to the local inn to collect a parcel from the incoming mail coach. Sheltering in the inn’s common room, she overhears a plot to hold up her uncle’s carriage the following day and steal the jewels. Running for help, she instead runs straight into the protective arms of a mysterious stranger…

Well, this is a Regency romance, so naturally the stranger will turn out to be a nobleman - the Earl of Austell, in fact, who summarily deals with the would-be highwaymen and sends Pommy straight home to get dry. When he discovers she’s forgotten the parcel she was sent to collect, he delivers it himself, and sees just how badly she is treated by her uncle and his family. Having discovered a mutual love of romantic fiction, he rescues Pommy and sweeps her off to London to be a companion to his widowed sister-in-law, collecting another stray young lady along the way. All this he takes in his stride - I do like a competent hero.

From here on, the plot becomes increasingly convoluted, involving the stray, her father and a discarded suitor of hers, Pommy’s horrid relations and her very un-horrid military uncle, and the earl’s sister-in-law and nephew, culminating in the obligatory kidnapping. Why is it that Regencies of this era always feel compelled to stuff in a kidnapping at the end? Fortunately, this one ends more in farce than anything else - in fact, the second half of the book is delightfully funny, with some genuine laugh-out-loud moments.

As for the romance, it’s obvious that these two are attracted to each other right from the start, and hooray for a hero who knows his own mind and doesn’t waver in the slightest. There’s a lot of muddle between them about what they really feel, with a great deal of miscommunication, and yes, it could all have been sorted out if they’d just sat down and talked to each other, which is usually a big red flag for me. But the whole thing is done in such a whimsical, light-hearted way, almost fairytale-like (and the parallels with Cinderella are obvious), it was easy to just roll with it. There was only one moment when I felt Austell behaved badly, when he first proposes to Pommy, but he makes it seem like such an off-the-cuff thing that she doesn’t take him seriously. A hero should never propose without explaining to the heroine that yes, he does love her, however spontaneous it might seem to be.

One oddity - we never quite know exactly how old the two are supposed to be. His sister-in-law says there’s almost a twenty year age gap, but there’s no particular reason why there needs to be. He says he’s had twelve seasons, so if he was up at Oxford, say, until he was twenty-one, that would make him in his early thirties. Pommy is spoken of as if she’s quite young, but I like to think of her in her early twenties, so the gap would be no more than ten years, and perfectly acceptable.

A couple of historical errors jumped out at me. The sister-in-law (the widow of the earl’s brother) is a duke’s daughter and the brother was a plain Mister, so she would be Lady Aurora Masterson, and definitely not Lady Masterson, as she is called throughout. And then there’s the question of whether Austell would marry his sister-in-law. Since they fall within the church’s proscribed levels of consanguinity, such a marriage would be frowned on. Legally, it’s possible, and two of Jane Austen’s brothers married the sister of their dead wife, but the marriage would be voidable - any challenge would render it void and the children illegitimate, and that’s not something that a peer could contemplate. Another small point - a hitching post is a term not common before 1850. In the country, a groom would be found to hold a horse, and in town street urchins did the job.

The book finishes in fine style, with a couple of satisfying side romances and a properly romantic denouement for the main couple, although like all books of this era, everything ends pretty much straight after the proposal. No schmaltzy epilogues here. Books of this age don’t always wear well, but this was one that I loved from start to finish, with clever dialogue and an excellent style of writing that reminded me of Georgette Heyer. Highly recommended. Five stars.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read romances, but I can't help praising this writer for a clean, fun read that doesn’t sound like it was written by a high schooler.

Author Elizabeth Chater was born in 1910. She started teaching English at San Diego State College in 1961 and began her novel-writing career in 1978.The crowning feature of Chater’s books is her rib-tickling conversation. I know that Georgette Heyer is famous for this, but Chater is much less historically self-conscious than Heyer. Where Heyer excels in historical details that can make her dialogue heavy and obtuse, Chater’s repartee is brisk and light, but still full of regency flavor. And the vocabulary is rich (a plus for me in any book.)

In A Season for the Heart, Melpomene (“Pommy” for short) is an orphan who has been hoisted off on an unfriendly aunt. She had previously lived in a small town with her vicar grandfather who taught her the classics. So she is naive in many things, but quite an intellectual. I enjoyed how these two aspects of her personality played off each other. She unexpectedly gets a position as companion to a wealthy elderly woman and moves to London where her fortunes change. As you can imagine, after a series of usual roadblocks, love conquers all.

My biggest quibble with the book is that almost everyone falls in love at first sight, which would be okay for just one couple, but EVERYONE? Really?

Still, it is a very pleasant read if laughter is called for.

[Be · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Cinderella / Pollyanna theme in this Traditional Regency. I love Fairytales. One of my favorite quotes from the Heroine in this book was, after receiving a marriage proposal ( to quiet rumor mongers) - "That's like burning the barn to frighten away a stinkbug" (just sounded so funny)! Her writing style was very "old fashioned", everyone was in love with someone else (always some obstacle in their way). This is a 3 1/2 star read . There were many things preventing me from loving it.....but I liked it well enough.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Melpnmene Rand imagination can run wild. But truth once more is stranger than fiction as she is rescued by The Earl of Austell from her cruel relatives to be the companion to his melancholy widowed sister-in-law. Inadvertent matchmaking saves the day for all. A fun run through the regency with the HAPPY ending!

[Kaylynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was so funny. Pommy keeps thinking up wonderful stories for her and others' lives, but she's also sensible and puts aside her stories with a laugh at herself. That willingness to not take herself too seriously certainly endeared her to me. The ending was a little weak, but on the whole I really enjoyed it.

[Suzanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

A clean romance but very unlikely. Pippin displayed a variety of maturity levels. She never exhibits the qualities one would think is required of a duke's wife. I thought the duke possessed a father daughter type love, not a husband wife type love.

[Julia M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

This story was okay but if feels like it did not have enough meat on the bone. All the characters were a little too flighty to be able "fall in love at first glance".

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not my cup of tea.

[Reading Fanatic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun May-December Romance

This is my first Elizabeth Chater novel, and I enjoyed it very much. The story is fun, lighthearted, quirky at times, and romantic. The book is well written, with an interesting plot, and a wonderful cast of characters. Pommy is a young woman, orphaned at an early age, who was raised by her maternal grandfather. After her grandfather died, she was forced to rely on the largesse of her father's older brother and his family. Alas, her paternal aunt and uncle, as well as their two daughters, are a group of vile creatures. Her aunt and cousins treat Pommy worse than a servant, constantly belittling her, as well as inflicting physical punishments against her.

Dear Pommy is a romantic at heart. Her grandfather provided her with an extensive education in literature and the classics. To escape the reality of the cruel existence she is forced to endure, Pommy buries herself in reading, and when not reading, lives in the various romantic fantasies she creates...usually involving some beauty who is a Blighted Heroine. LOL

Pommy and Derek meet at a local inn, when she literally runs into his arms. Pommy has just overheard a plot to hold up her uncle's carriage during the family's journey to London. When Pommy tells the Stranger—who is the hero, Derek Masterson, Earl of Austelle—what she overheard, she is delighted with his response. He immediately throws himself wholehearted into the caper, and even seems to have an extensive knowledge of literature. Pommy's heart is delighted to have found a kindred spirit. Unfortunately, the timing is all wrong, because in this instance, the fantasy is a reality—there really is a plan to rob her uncle's carriage. Once Derek realizes that Pommy is in earnest, he immediately comes to her assistance, after which the two part ways.

Later that same day, when Derek comes to Pommy's assistance for a second time and witnesses the result of the abominable treatment she is subjected to at the hands of her relatives, he promptly whisks her off to London, to be a companion to his widowed sister-in-law, Lady Aurora. During their journey to London, these two mad-cap individuals form a bond, created by their mutual enjoyment of creating fantasies.

The story is short, only a little over 200 pages, so it moves at a nice, quick pace. Although we are never told the actual ages of either Pommy and Derek, Lady Aurora does note that Derek had to be almost 20 years Pommy's senior. Pommy does seem extremely young and naïve, especially because she indulges so much in her fantasy world. Nonetheless, the relationship between herself and Derek works, because she brings out a young, playful side to his personality, while he provides her with a steadying, mature influence. I did have to wonder if Pommy's love for Derek wasn't more hero-worship than anything else. Luckily, I was able to go with the story and not over-think it--which is very often my tendency. For his part, Derek finds his usual self-confidence somewhat shaken when it comes to Pommy because he is so much older than she is, and he does suffer some intense moments of jealousy.

I loved this story; it's full of witty repartee, quirky humor, and zany characters. Two of my favorites—aside from the protagonists—are the oh-so-beautiful, oh-so-dumb, Gareth and Isabelle. LOL Even the scene where Derek proposes to Pommy had me laughing out loud! If you're in the mood for a fun, light-hearted, clean, historical romance, then this book is definitely worth a read. Happy reading!

[Simo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is sweet and the h is delightful, I really enjoyed it. It reminded me strongly of Georgette Heyer's novels, in particular Arabella, IMO the two heroines have a lot in common. Unfortunately, Pommy seems to have a lot in common with Pollyanna as well, a bit too much actually. As per the H, I'm not crazy about the fact that he is 20 years older than the h, and keeps calling her a child. And he doesn't hold a candle to Heyer's / Arabella's Nonpareil!
P.S. I just found out that the two authors were contemporary, I did not know that! That explains a lot.

[Walford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like some tasty but delicate desert. Maybe involving meringue and creme fraiche.
The perfect balance of sweet, light, and tart. And witty!
Run, do not walk, to the big A, where it can be had, along with three other Chaters, for the unbeatable price of $0.00.
To pull off this coup, and discover Chater simultaneously, makes me a happy man.

[June Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Season of Fun!

Elizabeth Chater's A Season for the Heart is just about as much fun as a Regency romance dates to have. It features The Downtrodden Heroine and the Cynical Corinthian and any number of other wonderful Regency tropes, never taking itself the least bit seriously but never forgetting to make the reader care about the characters and the outcome.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rushed

The language is enough like heyer to make it more readable than a lot of the current Regency romances, but the plot seems rushed and there is very little character development. This makes it seem kind of silly or just not very engaging. Which is too bad. I had high hopes for this author.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this delightfully entertaining and humorous tale, threaded through as it is with Gothic Romance references. Villains, Wicked Aunt, Cruel Cousins, and a Host of Marvellous Characters.
Read & enjoy!

[Katja]

I have this book as part of a box set. Expect a clean, light romp, with a younger heroine and an older hero, (it was a bit distracting that he kept calling her "child", or even "infant".) I enjoyed the humour and the writing style which is rather heyeresque.

[SM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet regency.But main characters didn’t talk much and ending was rushed. But was entertaining.

[Ivi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a refreshing quick read. A mixture of Georgette Hayer and Eva Ibbotson.

[Jane Mercer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little romance our heroine is a Romantic our hero prosaic but finds himself charmed by Pommy's flights of fancy one romance extends to two to three.Very enjoyable

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Good writing. Enjoyable story.

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

How many times can you put the word "Romantic" into a novel?

A lot apparently.

It wasn't a bad story, just didn't really seem to have any fire. One look and they were struck dumb with love. 🤷‍♀️

[Lynn Put · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I thoroughly enjoy it! It reminds me very much of Georgette Heyer, one of my favorite authors. I can only hope all Chater’s stories are as good.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Overall, the writing is very good, and some of the banter was truly delightful. Plot-wise, this is standard regency fare. So while a bit absurd, it’s what I was expecting from a comedy of errors.

*However* the age gap between Pommy, the heroine, and the Earl undermined my overall enjoyment of the story. If Gareth, the son of the Earl’s younger brother, was already 21, then -at the very least- the Earl would have to be in his early 40s. Since Pommy was depicted as emotionally starved and rather immature for her age, I found the 20-so year gap between the h/H even more disturbing, and could never quite get past this.