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The Spinster Chronicles #7
Spinster Ever After
When a man loves a spinster... Charlotte Wright has had enough. All of her friends have now married, leaving her the lone writer of the Spinster Chronicles who is still a true spinster. So she's decided it is time for her to join the ranks and get married, groom to be determined. She's an heiress, after all. How difficult could it be to find a husband? Michael Sandford has been there by Charlotte's side from the very beginning, loving her all the while even when she turned down his proposal. When she tells him of her plans to marry and marry soon, he begins to make plans himself. He cannot stand by and watch her marry someone else, so he's decided to distance himself from Charlotte entirely while she hunts for a husband... one that is not him. And Charlotte doesn't like that one bit.
264 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2020
131 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Connolly
91 books1,244 followersI was born once upon a time, and I started making up stories right away. Eventually, I started writing them down, and never stopped! I have a day job, which gets in the way of my writing, but it pays the bills so I CAN write, so I guess that's okay! I am a bookworm, which I think is key to being a writer, and I am always looking for inspiration! I live in Indiana, am obsessed with hot chocolate, and I am on track to be the best aunt in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 10, 2020
I have to give this 4 stars because it's the end of the series I loved, it's written by Rebecca who is a amazing romance writer and it was a good story. I had Huge expectations for this book and I wanted something very specific and I didn't get it so it was disappointing in that way. This was not the love story I wanted and I wish I could reread it and get rid of all I thought it would be. Charlotte wants to mary, finally she is willing to really invest her time and energy to finding a husband. We have know all along that Michael is in love with her and we are all dying to know if she finally sees him or finds an epic love and she and Michael can find happiness in someone new. Most of Rebecca's story's the two love interests have a lot of interaction, some really good tension and you can see them falling in love, she had to do this one differently because Michael needs to find his own way. You get lots of all the Spinsters and other people we have met in this series. Lots of storylines are all tied up and new story lines could come from this book. The ending was everything I hoped and longed for it just came at the very end.
November 26, 2020
This has been such a fun series! Charlotte is the most outspoken and sassy of the group of young ladies who call themselves The Spinsters and not-so-secretly publish a society column. In the previous books she has always seemed so unaffected, so it was nice to be able to see behind her facade to her more vulnerable feelings. She's not too different from what she seems, though, having an openly honest personality. She truly is unaware of Michael's obsession with her, probably because he plays the role of only-a-friend so well. I kept rooting for him to take a chance and tell her how he felt before he tried moving on, but his sense of self-preservation kept him from risking another rejection. The dance over the line between friendship and romance is played with as Charlotte and Michael try their best to make choices that will move their lives forward after they each realize how stagnant they have been over the past years- Charlotte with entertaining frivolous suitors she knows have no future with her, and Michael with his world revolving around Charlotte and not making a place for himself in society. It was fun to see the various characters from the books rally around each of them in their quest to reinvent themselves and find love. An entertaining conclusion to the Spinster Chronicles!
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
November 4, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up.
What's man to do when he's in love with a Spinster and not just a spinster with a capital 'S'? Charlotte Wright always said she would only marry for love. Sweeping, dizzying, fall to one's knees for the pain of it love. Nothing more and nothing less. It would be a love match or nothing at all.
Charlotte Wright is an heiress and doesn't have to marry if she does not want to, and suddenly she wants to because all of her Spinster friends are married and some are having children. She doesn't want to be the only one not married. Charlotte has always been of the mindset that once she sets herself to something it will happen. She doesn't seem to realize you can't force love to happen, and moreover she's already in love--she just hasn't admitted it to herself yet.
Michael Sandford was the first of Charlotte's fifteen rejected proposals. She thought he was joking but he wasn't. He truly loves Charlotte, but isn't going to watch her be courted by other men, so he starts looking for a wife when Charlotte announces she's going to find a husband. These two needed to put locked into a room until Michael got the courage to tell her how he felt about her, and Charlotte realized that she felt the same way about Michael.
I loved how most of the other Spinsters helped Charlotte, and tried to guide and advise her. Because it took so long for Charlotte to realize her feelings for Michael, I was worried the would actually marry someone else. I laughed at Charlotte's naivete that she could just find a man and fall in love--had she learned nothing from watching her friends unexpectedly find love? There were times I wanted to knock some sense into her and point out she was about to lose the love a perfectly fine man.
I wish Charlotte and Michael had gotten together a little sooner, so the epilogue would have given us more time to catch up with all of the Spinsters, especially since this is the last book of the series. I loved catching up with Prue and Edith and all the other women and their husbands. This series has brought me many happy hours of escape into their world.
I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
What's man to do when he's in love with a Spinster and not just a spinster with a capital 'S'? Charlotte Wright always said she would only marry for love. Sweeping, dizzying, fall to one's knees for the pain of it love. Nothing more and nothing less. It would be a love match or nothing at all.
Charlotte Wright is an heiress and doesn't have to marry if she does not want to, and suddenly she wants to because all of her Spinster friends are married and some are having children. She doesn't want to be the only one not married. Charlotte has always been of the mindset that once she sets herself to something it will happen. She doesn't seem to realize you can't force love to happen, and moreover she's already in love--she just hasn't admitted it to herself yet.
Michael Sandford was the first of Charlotte's fifteen rejected proposals. She thought he was joking but he wasn't. He truly loves Charlotte, but isn't going to watch her be courted by other men, so he starts looking for a wife when Charlotte announces she's going to find a husband. These two needed to put locked into a room until Michael got the courage to tell her how he felt about her, and Charlotte realized that she felt the same way about Michael.
I loved how most of the other Spinsters helped Charlotte, and tried to guide and advise her. Because it took so long for Charlotte to realize her feelings for Michael, I was worried the would actually marry someone else. I laughed at Charlotte's naivete that she could just find a man and fall in love--had she learned nothing from watching her friends unexpectedly find love? There were times I wanted to knock some sense into her and point out she was about to lose the love a perfectly fine man.
I wish Charlotte and Michael had gotten together a little sooner, so the epilogue would have given us more time to catch up with all of the Spinsters, especially since this is the last book of the series. I loved catching up with Prue and Edith and all the other women and their husbands. This series has brought me many happy hours of escape into their world.
I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
October 22, 2020
Another fun book in the Spinster series!! I was so excited for Charlotte’s story! It was not what I expected but still enjoyable! Many funny parts and so even laughed out loud a time or two. I wish they would have had a few more romantic interactions earlier on, but it was a good ending.
May 5, 2021
Ugh… This book sounded so delicious. But sadly it wasn't… at least for me. The first half of the book was not Charlotte and Michael's story. It was Charlotte's story and Michael's story - like, separately. They had almost no interactions, didn't think of each other, didn't speak with each other. On the contrary they were pursuing a relationship with other people and thinking favourably about it. I was ready to call it quits. But stubbornly kept on. And only at about 60% of the book things started to look better an fall into place. But as an end to the Spinster's series it was quite anticlimactic in my opinion.
Narrative: 3rd person following Charlotte and Michael
Religion: mentioned as part of the era
Sensuality: clean, a couple of kisses
Narrative: 3rd person following Charlotte and Michael
Religion: mentioned as part of the era
Sensuality: clean, a couple of kisses
October 27, 2020
I honestly expected much more from Charlotte's story, the time she had with Michael was soooo little , I can fill their moments in one or two chapters. I really hoped her story would be much more or at least to be on the same level as the other spinsters but her story was my least favorite, even though it had potential.
March 2, 2023
The last book in the Spinster Chronicles. Charlotte Wright heiress is the h and her best friend Michael Sandford since they were seven years old living at adjacent properties in the country, Oxfordshire, is the H. She counted on him to always be there until she decided she wanted to marry and find love. He decided it was time to move on with his own life. He had asked her to marry him five years before and she turned him down. They courted different people. He Diana Palmer cousin to the Wilton’s and she Mr. Jonathan Riley an entrepreneur in shipping. While both thought highly of their respective partners they couldn’t stop thinking about each other.
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October 27, 2020
I have adored every book in The Spinster Chronicles, and Charlotte and Michael’s story was the perfect ending to one of my favorite book series of all time.
Michael has been in love with Charlotte practically since they were children. She, however, has been quite satisfied with being a spinster - with a capital S. She enjoys her independence and has gleefully turned down 15 proposals, including poor Michael who has continued to stay by her side year after year. After Charlotte sees the last of her close friends marry, she decides its time to focus her efforts on obtaining a husband for herself. Too bad she doesn’t see the man who loves her is right in plain view.
Unable to watch the woman he loves launch a campaign for a spouse, Michael decides to find a woman of his own to court in an effort to free his heart of Charlotte Wright once and for all.
This delightful story brings all the Spinster characters together again as they help Charlotte navigate her course for true love. You will find your self laughing out loud and groaning in frustration with these characters who are stubborn and authentic. But, as I’ve come to expect from Rebecca Connolly’s books, there’s lots of love (and amazing kisses) at the end of the journey. This is one book you don’t want to miss!
Michael has been in love with Charlotte practically since they were children. She, however, has been quite satisfied with being a spinster - with a capital S. She enjoys her independence and has gleefully turned down 15 proposals, including poor Michael who has continued to stay by her side year after year. After Charlotte sees the last of her close friends marry, she decides its time to focus her efforts on obtaining a husband for herself. Too bad she doesn’t see the man who loves her is right in plain view.
Unable to watch the woman he loves launch a campaign for a spouse, Michael decides to find a woman of his own to court in an effort to free his heart of Charlotte Wright once and for all.
This delightful story brings all the Spinster characters together again as they help Charlotte navigate her course for true love. You will find your self laughing out loud and groaning in frustration with these characters who are stubborn and authentic. But, as I’ve come to expect from Rebecca Connolly’s books, there’s lots of love (and amazing kisses) at the end of the journey. This is one book you don’t want to miss!
October 27, 2020
Finally we get to the lovely Charlotte's tale of love. Charlotte is highly popular and finds that now that her friends are all married, it is time she finds marriage herself. Used to having many proposals, she feels ready to make the changes she needs in order to fall in love with whomever she chooses.
Her best friend, Michael Sanford, has loved Charlotte for years. He has hoped she would finally see him. Realizing that his hope was crushed, he decides to find someone else and forget his lovely best friend by distancing himself from her.
It is a wonderful conclusion to the last spinster finding her match. I will say that I had a hard time reading the first part of the book. It took Charlotte a while to finally start to notice Michael while Michael was trying to find out who he was. That being said...it ends beautifully.
I had wished that there was a epilogue attached to end it all. I think it would have been great to do it with all the men that the spinster's married at some spinster reunion years later. To read their viewpoint of how these women changed their lives.
Her best friend, Michael Sanford, has loved Charlotte for years. He has hoped she would finally see him. Realizing that his hope was crushed, he decides to find someone else and forget his lovely best friend by distancing himself from her.
It is a wonderful conclusion to the last spinster finding her match. I will say that I had a hard time reading the first part of the book. It took Charlotte a while to finally start to notice Michael while Michael was trying to find out who he was. That being said...it ends beautifully.
I had wished that there was a epilogue attached to end it all. I think it would have been great to do it with all the men that the spinster's married at some spinster reunion years later. To read their viewpoint of how these women changed their lives.
October 23, 2020
In Spinster Ever After, Charlotte realizes that she is missing something in her life. Her spinsterhood no longer feels like a badge of honor, and she proposes drastic steps to change that. Although I cringed at some of the things Charlotte said or did, I think that most of us can empathize with her plight. Don't we all hope to be a little better? Haven't we all missed something wonderful right under our nose at one time or another? Sometimes I wanted to skip to the end of the book and see how things turned out already, but I'm glad that I didn't. I would have missed the hilarious and perfectly fitting way that Charlotte finds her happiness. (The book has some profanity.)
I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and review. My opinions are my own.
I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and review. My opinions are my own.
October 23, 2020
I have enjoyed this series so much! Charlotte is such a fun character, and her romance had some great twists and turns. There were so many parts that I laughed, sighed, and felt a fluttering heart. I especially liked that the was no bad guy, just characters figuring out romance and courting with all of its complexities and confusing emotions. I am so glad I was able to receive this book from the publisher. A fun read that helped me get through a rough day.
December 1, 2020
I enjoyed the witty and fun writing, and I like the world the author has created in this series, but found the plot frustrating, as I always do when characters get in the way of their own happiness for no good reason other than to create plot-driving conflict. I was tolerating it for much of the story, but then it got worse at the end with too much game-playing.
October 28, 2021
I love a lot of the other books in the series but this one just didn’t have the same finish. Michel is amazing lead but I feel there were a lot of missed opportunities to make the reader really yern. Enjoyable but did find myself skipping pages so I could finish it and more onto another book.
October 31, 2020
Charlotte has always been a darling of society with a bevy of beaux. She has been proposed to multiple times but has never seriously considered anyone.
“I say I will marry, if and only if I can find a love that pales all other loves to persuade me out of what is sure to be a most glorious spinsterhood.”
Michael has been in love with Charlotte for years. Even after a rejected proposal, he continues to follow her around like a lapdog. Only after Charlotte decides to truly pursue finding love does Michael realize that he lost himself while in Charlotte’s shadow.
“Charlotte had never tried to find the love she’d always claimed she was after. She’d simply expected the thing to fall into her lap like so many of the buffoons that had paid homage to her.”
Charlotte is fortunate to have understanding parents who support her and don’t pressure her. However, Charlotte can come off as superficial and spoiled. It was nice to see the developments she made throughout the book while staying true to herself.
Charlotte has the classic case of you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Michael has always been there for her, and she has taken advantage of him. She doesn’t even notice what is right in front of her.
“I always knew if I stayed by you, one day you’d see me.”
This story reminded me of Emma by Jane Austen. There were a lot of parallels, but I don’t want to spoil anything.
The Wright family scenes are so classic. I love how the siblings act with each other and how the parents react.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the epilogue. To see the transition of Michael as a lapdog and Michael at the end of the story was gold.
I don’t want to say goodbye to the Spinsters. I hope we see them again.
December 27, 2021
One of the disappointing books in this series.
October 24, 2020
Such a fun final installment to the Spinster series!
I love the appearances from the rest of the Spinsters as Charlotte embarks on a quest to find a husband. Michael is perhaps the most patient man in all of London and I can understand his reaction to Charlotte's announcement. There were definitely moments in the middle of the book that I was a little worried how things would turn out but was very satisfied with the ending. The opera house and ballroom scenes were seriously swoony and I loved watching Charlotte slowly come to the realization of her feelings.
I highly recommend reading some of the other spinster books first - there are a lot of characters to keep track of and this book will be much more enjoyable if you know their histories.
I always love Rebecca Connolly's books and this one was no exception!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but it in no way affected my review.
I love the appearances from the rest of the Spinsters as Charlotte embarks on a quest to find a husband. Michael is perhaps the most patient man in all of London and I can understand his reaction to Charlotte's announcement. There were definitely moments in the middle of the book that I was a little worried how things would turn out but was very satisfied with the ending. The opera house and ballroom scenes were seriously swoony and I loved watching Charlotte slowly come to the realization of her feelings.
I highly recommend reading some of the other spinster books first - there are a lot of characters to keep track of and this book will be much more enjoyable if you know their histories.
I always love Rebecca Connolly's books and this one was no exception!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but it in no way affected my review.
October 29, 2020
This was a well written book. However it did not do a great job at catching my interest. Often with there timeless romance singles I have a hard time putting them down. That was not the case with this one. It was an ok story, but I felt that there were many holes. Many choices that had consequences that were never discussed. Was ok, but didn't love the book.
I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 27, 2020
I absolutely love this series! It was such a delight to read! Charlotte’s story has been a long awaited one but well worth it! We get to be reunited with so many of the other characters from the previous books in the series which I found to be so enjoyable - I want to start reading the series from the very beginning again. This story developed rather differently to how I initially expected it go, but I was thoroughly enthralled and impressed. Just when I think the story can’t get any better, Connolly makes it so that I have to swallow my words. If you haven’t already read any of the other books in the series please do so! This book seriously would not have meant as much to me if I had not read the others first. There is so much detail and subtle nuances in the interactions with the others throughout the story as well as the background information from the previous books that build and help us to get to know Charlotte’s character better for this one, as well as Henshaw’s since we get to see how his story proceeds in this one as well. It just wouldn’t be the same if read as a stand-alone, and seriously, all of the other stories are so wonderful that you wouldn’t want to miss out on them 😉
I can happily recommend this series to anyone who enjoys clean and wholesome regency era romance as well as other books by Rebecca Connolly. She is definitely one of my go-to authors whenever I recommend clean and wholesome romance.
I received an ARC of this book from the author however this in no way influenced my opinion and I am under no obligation to leave this review.
I can happily recommend this series to anyone who enjoys clean and wholesome regency era romance as well as other books by Rebecca Connolly. She is definitely one of my go-to authors whenever I recommend clean and wholesome romance.
I received an ARC of this book from the author however this in no way influenced my opinion and I am under no obligation to leave this review.
October 28, 2020
Although I am sad to see this fun series end, I am glad that we finally got Charlotte’s story. I have loved all of the books in this series and I loved that we got to see outspoken Charlotte be brought down a peg by love. I loved the romance between her and Michael. I loved how she took a while to figure out that she was in love with him because I think it showed some great character growth. I also liked that they had to find their way to each other by trying to be with other people. Wonderful book and series by Rebecca Connolly and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
October 23, 2020
I have been looking forward to reading Charlotte's story and couldn't wait to find out who her true love would be. I love how her story was built up in little ways during the other spinster novels and how this one incorporated all of the previous characters in one way or another.
Charlotte has been best friends with Michael since childhood and when she makes a deal to get married, Michael realizes she'll never see his love for her and so must distance himself before his heart is totally shattered. I enjoyed watching Michael grow and struggle as well as Charlotte come to realize what was there all along. The friends to lovers trope did not play out as I would have expected in this book, in fact a couple of times I was nervous how it would work out, but overall, it was satisfying. I did want a bit more interaction between the two as I felt a lot of the story focused on their other courtships, but the ending was good and I loved that first kiss!
I received an advance reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I recommend this book and the entire Spinster Chronicles. Great fun, clean Regency romances.
Charlotte has been best friends with Michael since childhood and when she makes a deal to get married, Michael realizes she'll never see his love for her and so must distance himself before his heart is totally shattered. I enjoyed watching Michael grow and struggle as well as Charlotte come to realize what was there all along. The friends to lovers trope did not play out as I would have expected in this book, in fact a couple of times I was nervous how it would work out, but overall, it was satisfying. I did want a bit more interaction between the two as I felt a lot of the story focused on their other courtships, but the ending was good and I loved that first kiss!
I received an advance reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I recommend this book and the entire Spinster Chronicles. Great fun, clean Regency romances.
October 26, 2020
Charlotte is a fun character. She is a force to be reckoned with and Michael is very loyal and attached in his affections. While reading the book I often wondered what Charlotte's family thought of their relationship so I was delighted the author eventually shared that information with the reader (and Charlotte). Her family's response was pretty hilarious.
Cute wrap up to all the spinsters. It was lovely to see the other Spinsters in their married lives. I enjoyed the story a great deal but felt a little irked by the epilogue. Michael was getting a bit mean and I kinda wanted Charlotte to walk away and make him come after her again. And I wasn't really sure why it is an epilogue instead of just the next chapter and was at first worried that the author was skipping over the relationship resolve and proposal to move to the marriage or something. Luckily that wasn't the case. We got a satisfying happily ever after. Fun read.
Sex: no
Language: yes, mild
Violence: no
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Cute wrap up to all the spinsters. It was lovely to see the other Spinsters in their married lives. I enjoyed the story a great deal but felt a little irked by the epilogue. Michael was getting a bit mean and I kinda wanted Charlotte to walk away and make him come after her again. And I wasn't really sure why it is an epilogue instead of just the next chapter and was at first worried that the author was skipping over the relationship resolve and proposal to move to the marriage or something. Luckily that wasn't the case. We got a satisfying happily ever after. Fun read.
Sex: no
Language: yes, mild
Violence: no
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
October 26, 2020
This is the second spinster book that I have read. I really loved the one previous to this. I struggled a bit with this one. Don't get me wrong, the writing was well done, the characters were well developed, I just really didn't like Charlotte.
Charlotte is spoiled, opinionated, and selfish. I just didn't love her self absorbed-ness. Michael on the other hand, was kind and sweet. He tried so hard to move on with his life. He was a wonderful character.
I need to go and read the other books in this series, maybe that would make me like Charlotte more.
I received a free copy if this book for an honest review.
Charlotte is spoiled, opinionated, and selfish. I just didn't love her self absorbed-ness. Michael on the other hand, was kind and sweet. He tried so hard to move on with his life. He was a wonderful character.
I need to go and read the other books in this series, maybe that would make me like Charlotte more.
I received a free copy if this book for an honest review.
November 17, 2020
Spinster Ever After by Rebecca Connolly (4.5 stars)
*Not a stand-alone! You will be horribly confused about who’s who if you don’t read the preceding books.*
I was late to this series and didn’t start with book one. It made the plethora of characters confusing in the extreme. However, if you’ve read all the novels and know the characters, it should be delightful to see the people you have come to know and love living out their HEA’s.
Charlotte, the heroine, is a strong character who had gathered other similarly situated female friends and has had success, along with these friends, writing The Spinster Chronicles. They were spinsters only in the strictest sense of the word; they were in their mid to late twenties and unmarried.
All of her friends have, one by one, changed their spinster state by falling in love and getting married. Charlotte sees all the newly-married love surrounding her and wants to experience love, too. But only the deepest, all-encompassing true love will do. So, she decides to enlist her formerly-spinster friends to find a man to fall in love with. Her friends try to tell her that that is not how love works and that their own love journeys were not smooth, but she is determined.
Charlotte wasn’t a character that I particularly liked much. Thankfully, the author writes in enough vulnerable moments that Charlotte is at least human. She tends to walk all over others to get her own way; she does it a bit unintentionally because her strong personality seems to have always helped her get her own way in most things. I’m glad the author chooses to grow her character a bit.
Michael is the more likable character of the two. He has loved Charlotte since they were young and even proposed to her many years ago and was refused. Yet he still hangs around, becoming a good friend and someone her family is very comfortable with. Michael has waited and waited for Charlotte to realize that she loves him, too. But when she asks him to help her sort through the plethora of men and choose one or two to focus her efforts on, he’s done. He can’t stand by and watch her pursue love, when it isn’t him.
He decides to try to start a new life that doesn’t include Charlotte (‘grow a backbone’ as another reviewer so astutely put it). He finds a couple of male friends to help. He will start to be more sociable, perhaps even find a lady to court.
Both our intrepid protagonists undergo make-overs (mostly in the form of clothing and hairstyles) and both find someone to court or be courted by who is good-natured, well-suited in personality, clever and relatively unaffected by society.
Michael is rather miserable whenever Charlotte is around, but otherwise is finding his way nicely. Charlotte is clueless until she realizes that she can’t have Michael if she marries another. Then she’s miserable when he’s around.
It’s a bit of a comedy of errors. And there is one really passionate kiss when separation anxiety comes to a head.
They eventually get together, of course, and it’s a very lovely happily ever after. It’s certain that they are suited; after all, they’ve been friends for most of their lives.
As one reviewer mentions, there’s some fall-out to their schemes in the form of the two people they had become attached to. The author didn’t really give us any sort of idea how hurt, or not hurt, these individuals were by the sudden change of heart that Michael and Charlotte had.
Every character from her other novels makes an appearance sometime in the book-many at the very end. That should be fun and satisfying to those who have read the entire series.
Reading this book was quite a ride and well-worth it. The author writes the changes in character/attitude/love at a pace that seems natural and not rushed.
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
*Not a stand-alone! You will be horribly confused about who’s who if you don’t read the preceding books.*
I was late to this series and didn’t start with book one. It made the plethora of characters confusing in the extreme. However, if you’ve read all the novels and know the characters, it should be delightful to see the people you have come to know and love living out their HEA’s.
Charlotte, the heroine, is a strong character who had gathered other similarly situated female friends and has had success, along with these friends, writing The Spinster Chronicles. They were spinsters only in the strictest sense of the word; they were in their mid to late twenties and unmarried.
All of her friends have, one by one, changed their spinster state by falling in love and getting married. Charlotte sees all the newly-married love surrounding her and wants to experience love, too. But only the deepest, all-encompassing true love will do. So, she decides to enlist her formerly-spinster friends to find a man to fall in love with. Her friends try to tell her that that is not how love works and that their own love journeys were not smooth, but she is determined.
Charlotte wasn’t a character that I particularly liked much. Thankfully, the author writes in enough vulnerable moments that Charlotte is at least human. She tends to walk all over others to get her own way; she does it a bit unintentionally because her strong personality seems to have always helped her get her own way in most things. I’m glad the author chooses to grow her character a bit.
Michael is the more likable character of the two. He has loved Charlotte since they were young and even proposed to her many years ago and was refused. Yet he still hangs around, becoming a good friend and someone her family is very comfortable with. Michael has waited and waited for Charlotte to realize that she loves him, too. But when she asks him to help her sort through the plethora of men and choose one or two to focus her efforts on, he’s done. He can’t stand by and watch her pursue love, when it isn’t him.
He decides to try to start a new life that doesn’t include Charlotte (‘grow a backbone’ as another reviewer so astutely put it). He finds a couple of male friends to help. He will start to be more sociable, perhaps even find a lady to court.
Both our intrepid protagonists undergo make-overs (mostly in the form of clothing and hairstyles) and both find someone to court or be courted by who is good-natured, well-suited in personality, clever and relatively unaffected by society.
Michael is rather miserable whenever Charlotte is around, but otherwise is finding his way nicely. Charlotte is clueless until she realizes that she can’t have Michael if she marries another. Then she’s miserable when he’s around.
It’s a bit of a comedy of errors. And there is one really passionate kiss when separation anxiety comes to a head.
They eventually get together, of course, and it’s a very lovely happily ever after. It’s certain that they are suited; after all, they’ve been friends for most of their lives.
As one reviewer mentions, there’s some fall-out to their schemes in the form of the two people they had become attached to. The author didn’t really give us any sort of idea how hurt, or not hurt, these individuals were by the sudden change of heart that Michael and Charlotte had.
Every character from her other novels makes an appearance sometime in the book-many at the very end. That should be fun and satisfying to those who have read the entire series.
Reading this book was quite a ride and well-worth it. The author writes the changes in character/attitude/love at a pace that seems natural and not rushed.
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
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April 12, 2021After a great deal of consideration regarding the Spinster Chronicles series, I have to admit, I hated this one the most...and I do mean hate. I can't give it any stars because I believe it was that bad. Of all the stories regarding the Spinsters, this is the one I was dreading the most. After reading about Charlotte in the first six books, her character was the one I least liked, even more than Eleanor. Her acerbic, sarcastic, sneering attitude throughout the series was difficult to swallow.
So, for the seventh and (hopefully) final book of the series, this book was much like the first six. Even though it was focused more on the Spinsters (with a capital S) than with the Hero and Heroine of the story, it differed in other ways as well. While it introduced the two main characters quickly enough, they were rarely ever together, which made it difficult for the reader to believe there could ever be a romantic relationship between the two.
What has always irked me about this particular Heroine in all of the books, this one included, was that she thought she knew everything about everything and that she knew it all better than anyone else...including love and marriage, even though her friends were the ones who were married. She was just so...well I can't say arrogant, but that's the only viable word I can find to describe her. Her "point me in the direction of the eligible men and I'll know which one to force to love me" attitude was naive, ridiculous and obnoxious to the point of nauseating. She also thought way too highly of herself. She was always too focused on her attributes, so much so that one could even call her vain.
I did find the author's humor still very much apparent throughout this book, as it was in all the ones before it. I can say with all due haste and honesty that the humor could have been the one saving grace for all seven books...but wasn't.
As with its predecessors, I found this book to meander through a load of wasted rhetoric that neither had a point nor anything to do with a possible romance between the Hero and Heroine. I was just wasted words to fill a quota for the publisher, unfortunately. It also wandered far away from chemistry, love, romance and passion between the two main characters.
The fact that the author chose to focus on both the Heroine's and the Hero's attempts at finding love with separate people and rarely focusing on trying to build a relationship between THEM was...disappointing at best and atrocious at worst. I didn't choose this book to read about the Main Characters pursuing relationships with other people only to finally realize that they were, in fact, in love with each other. This point alone nearly the caused me to not continue reading to the end. This was an absolutely deplorable idea for any author to remotely consider let alone employ, and it took up the entirety of the book! This is NOT my idea of a romance novel.
I did approve of how the Hero determined the ending. After years of pining for the Heroine, his choices at the end were, in this reader's opinion, well deserved. I didn't at which point this all finally came to a head though. I think the author waited entirely too long for the romance to begin. While the other books had the Main Characters of their respective stories actually married at the end, this ending was not as good as the rest. Other than the way the Hero put the screws to the Heroine, the ending was absolutely deplorable, even if it was an HEA. Definitely NOT "Keeper for the Shelves" worthy, and thank goodness it's the final book in the series!
So, for the seventh and (hopefully) final book of the series, this book was much like the first six. Even though it was focused more on the Spinsters (with a capital S) than with the Hero and Heroine of the story, it differed in other ways as well. While it introduced the two main characters quickly enough, they were rarely ever together, which made it difficult for the reader to believe there could ever be a romantic relationship between the two.
What has always irked me about this particular Heroine in all of the books, this one included, was that she thought she knew everything about everything and that she knew it all better than anyone else...including love and marriage, even though her friends were the ones who were married. She was just so...well I can't say arrogant, but that's the only viable word I can find to describe her. Her "point me in the direction of the eligible men and I'll know which one to force to love me" attitude was naive, ridiculous and obnoxious to the point of nauseating. She also thought way too highly of herself. She was always too focused on her attributes, so much so that one could even call her vain.
I did find the author's humor still very much apparent throughout this book, as it was in all the ones before it. I can say with all due haste and honesty that the humor could have been the one saving grace for all seven books...but wasn't.
As with its predecessors, I found this book to meander through a load of wasted rhetoric that neither had a point nor anything to do with a possible romance between the Hero and Heroine. I was just wasted words to fill a quota for the publisher, unfortunately. It also wandered far away from chemistry, love, romance and passion between the two main characters.
The fact that the author chose to focus on both the Heroine's and the Hero's attempts at finding love with separate people and rarely focusing on trying to build a relationship between THEM was...disappointing at best and atrocious at worst. I didn't choose this book to read about the Main Characters pursuing relationships with other people only to finally realize that they were, in fact, in love with each other. This point alone nearly the caused me to not continue reading to the end. This was an absolutely deplorable idea for any author to remotely consider let alone employ, and it took up the entirety of the book! This is NOT my idea of a romance novel.
I did approve of how the Hero determined the ending. After years of pining for the Heroine, his choices at the end were, in this reader's opinion, well deserved. I didn't at which point this all finally came to a head though. I think the author waited entirely too long for the romance to begin. While the other books had the Main Characters of their respective stories actually married at the end, this ending was not as good as the rest. Other than the way the Hero put the screws to the Heroine, the ending was absolutely deplorable, even if it was an HEA. Definitely NOT "Keeper for the Shelves" worthy, and thank goodness it's the final book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2020
Spinster Ever After
Spinster Chronicles #7
By Rebecca Connolly
Charlotte Wright is decided - she is going to get married. Now she just has to find the perfect gentleman with whom to fall in love. Having watched the other Spinsters, with a capital S, fall in love and get married she's sure that she'll have no trouble once she settles on who will be her intended. Unfortunately, the men who have surrounded her the last few years just won't do, she needs to call on the Spinsters and get their take on who could be a worthy recipient of her affections. And then she can call on Michael to help her out.
When Charlotte explains her plans, Michael Sandford determines that his friendship with Charlotte is at an end. He won't watch her turn her attention to another man not when he has loved her forever. If only she hadn't refused his offer of marriage because Charlotte Wright never changes her mind, ever. But removing himself from Charlotte is harder than he thought it would be. Every acquaintance he has is also in Charlotte's circle - how is he ever going to get over her?
As Charlotte tries to find love, she is about to discover it is more than a plan put into action. And when she loses her childhood friend, she is left wondering why love has to be so complicated.
Spinster Ever After is a wonderful addition to the Spinster Chronicles as the final spinster Spinster decides to remake herself. But can she find the love she has decided that she now wants? Or will the love she's always wanted and that was always there continue to escape her notice? Or will she be too late to claim the love that was always there? Only time will tell in this seventh offering of the series.
It was enjoyable seeing the rest of the Spinsters in their married states and how they are more than satisfied in their lives. It is also interesting to see how Charlotte grows as a person through this book. Charlotte throughout is still Charlotte and no one can tell her what to do, but just maybe she can be swayed by her friends.
Fans of clean Regency Romance will want to add this to their TBR list. The pacing is good keeping the reader's attention as the action progresses from both Charlotte and Michael's point-of-view. And just a suggestion, read the other Spinster Chronicles before reading this book - you need the backstories to fully appreciate this one.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Spinster Chronicles #7
By Rebecca Connolly
Charlotte Wright is decided - she is going to get married. Now she just has to find the perfect gentleman with whom to fall in love. Having watched the other Spinsters, with a capital S, fall in love and get married she's sure that she'll have no trouble once she settles on who will be her intended. Unfortunately, the men who have surrounded her the last few years just won't do, she needs to call on the Spinsters and get their take on who could be a worthy recipient of her affections. And then she can call on Michael to help her out.
When Charlotte explains her plans, Michael Sandford determines that his friendship with Charlotte is at an end. He won't watch her turn her attention to another man not when he has loved her forever. If only she hadn't refused his offer of marriage because Charlotte Wright never changes her mind, ever. But removing himself from Charlotte is harder than he thought it would be. Every acquaintance he has is also in Charlotte's circle - how is he ever going to get over her?
As Charlotte tries to find love, she is about to discover it is more than a plan put into action. And when she loses her childhood friend, she is left wondering why love has to be so complicated.
Spinster Ever After is a wonderful addition to the Spinster Chronicles as the final spinster Spinster decides to remake herself. But can she find the love she has decided that she now wants? Or will the love she's always wanted and that was always there continue to escape her notice? Or will she be too late to claim the love that was always there? Only time will tell in this seventh offering of the series.
It was enjoyable seeing the rest of the Spinsters in their married states and how they are more than satisfied in their lives. It is also interesting to see how Charlotte grows as a person through this book. Charlotte throughout is still Charlotte and no one can tell her what to do, but just maybe she can be swayed by her friends.
Fans of clean Regency Romance will want to add this to their TBR list. The pacing is good keeping the reader's attention as the action progresses from both Charlotte and Michael's point-of-view. And just a suggestion, read the other Spinster Chronicles before reading this book - you need the backstories to fully appreciate this one.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
October 26, 2020
Two long time friends in search of true love. Will they find what they need?
Charlotte is the last remaining spinster in the Spinster group and realizes that she wants what the others have in their lives. But she only wants marriage if it’s based in love like the other Spinsters have found so she sets out to find her true love. Michael has always been there for Charlotte as her friend, confidant and protector always nearby to step in to comfort, advise, help, and intervene when needed. His love never seeming to be being noticed as she pursues and enjoys other men’s attentions. However, now that she is actively looking for a husband, he decides to step back and begin to look for a wife. Will either be able to find that one true love that they can happily base a marriage on? This is part of the Spinster Chronicles but can be read as a standalone although I highly recommend the whole series. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Charlotte is the last remaining spinster in the Spinster group and realizes that she wants what the others have in their lives. But she only wants marriage if it’s based in love like the other Spinsters have found so she sets out to find her true love. Michael has always been there for Charlotte as her friend, confidant and protector always nearby to step in to comfort, advise, help, and intervene when needed. His love never seeming to be being noticed as she pursues and enjoys other men’s attentions. However, now that she is actively looking for a husband, he decides to step back and begin to look for a wife. Will either be able to find that one true love that they can happily base a marriage on? This is part of the Spinster Chronicles but can be read as a standalone although I highly recommend the whole series. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2020
Charlotte has been a fascinating character from day one. Rebecca's characters are always full, dimensional and relatable regardless of their personality, big or small. As much as we know and love about Charlotte we came into the story knowing very little about Michael Sandford, and yet you love him from page one.
I always find myself amused and delighted through everyone of Rebecca Connolly's books, so much so that picking a favorite is nigh impossible. It doesn't matter what trope she draws from, she portrays each exceptionally. There were so many layers of relationships happening in this book it could have gotten confusing, and yet it never did.
From Charlotte's quirky family, to both their efforts outside each other at finding love, to Henshaw's slow courtship. Including Charlotte's own personal journey. Each layer was beautifully done resulting in an absolutely stunning end to the Spinster series.
I always find myself amused and delighted through everyone of Rebecca Connolly's books, so much so that picking a favorite is nigh impossible. It doesn't matter what trope she draws from, she portrays each exceptionally. There were so many layers of relationships happening in this book it could have gotten confusing, and yet it never did.
From Charlotte's quirky family, to both their efforts outside each other at finding love, to Henshaw's slow courtship. Including Charlotte's own personal journey. Each layer was beautifully done resulting in an absolutely stunning end to the Spinster series.
September 4, 2021
What a funny and great ending to a sweet series. I really do hate to see it end. The characters are so well developed I have enjoyed seeing each of them develop and interact.
Although this is the last in the series it can be read as a stand alone easily but oh I personally think it is so much richer for having read each book in the order it was written.
Charlotte is both a smart and lovely lady but she has such a headstrong mindset at times it almost costs her her heart’s desire.
Michael has loved this headstrong lady forever and come to realize he has to let go and move on.
This is a well written story of rediscovered and newly discovered love between long time friends.
I love this author’s way with humor,drama and romance. I look forward to reading more from her.
BTW theses bachelors in the epilogue…are we looking at a possible series but from the guys view point? Here are my fingers crossed!
Although this is the last in the series it can be read as a stand alone easily but oh I personally think it is so much richer for having read each book in the order it was written.
Charlotte is both a smart and lovely lady but she has such a headstrong mindset at times it almost costs her her heart’s desire.
Michael has loved this headstrong lady forever and come to realize he has to let go and move on.
This is a well written story of rediscovered and newly discovered love between long time friends.
I love this author’s way with humor,drama and romance. I look forward to reading more from her.
BTW theses bachelors in the epilogue…are we looking at a possible series but from the guys view point? Here are my fingers crossed!
September 3, 2024
This is not the last of the series. I really loved the story line. Friends since childhood, and the Charlotte doesn’t want to be the only one unmarried, and decides to see if all consuming love is out there. Michael who has loved her for so long begins to feel he will only ever be a friend, and once she marries there enjoyable time spent together will be no more.. so he to announces that he may soon be looking for a bride. That all seems well and good , but Charlotte cannot abide seeing him spend days with another girl, no matter how sweet she is. Then Michael who has been spending time with someone he likes, and respects, and finds charming, but each time he runs into Charley he is confused. I loved how their friends all knew what was going on, and trying to guide them back together. It was a funny, touching, and romantic read. No sexual content. 5 stars.
October 26, 2020
A lovely conclusion to The Spinster Chronicles! Rebecca Connolly’s well-loved series may be at an end, but readers will adore Charlotte and Michael’s story.
I loved seeing several appearances from the other Spinsters. I only wish there had been an extra epilogue, to see more of them, but the story is ultimately satisfying and quite romantic. I also could have done with more interactions between Michael and Charlotte in the middle of the story. There are some side characters introduced by Connolly who I hope receive their own stories in the future!
Fans of Regency romance will not want to miss this delightful series! 3.5/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I loved seeing several appearances from the other Spinsters. I only wish there had been an extra epilogue, to see more of them, but the story is ultimately satisfying and quite romantic. I also could have done with more interactions between Michael and Charlotte in the middle of the story. There are some side characters introduced by Connolly who I hope receive their own stories in the future!
Fans of Regency romance will not want to miss this delightful series! 3.5/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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