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The Hampshire Hoyden
Determined to remain unmarried, Katherine Glyn concocts shocking schemes and ignores the attentions of Lord Blake, who finds Katherine more intriguing every day
249 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 24, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 28, 2011
Delightful traditional Regency set in London amongst its glittering ton.
The plot loosely reminds me of (dare I say it?) Pride and Prejudice. *gasp* I know those are strong words...but hear me out! Miss Glyn is best friends with and companion to the acknowledged beauty of the season, Miss Georgina Fairfax. Lord Blake's close friend, Sir William Atherton, begs an introduction to Miss Fairfax. The two are introduced, and, c'est voila!, they are enamored of each other, pretty much at first sight.
Of course, Lord Blake is thrown into Miss Glyn's path throughout this courtship. What is shocking, however, is Miss Glyn seems to want nothing to do with him! Miss Glyn, it turns out, has observed Lord Blake's friendship with a neighbor of his, Lady Priscilla Inglewood (or, as Miss Glyn calls her, Lady Perfection Incarnate). Lady Priscilla and Miss Glyn have been at daggers drawn since Miss Glyn's debut season, when her hoydenish antics and behavior were the antithesis of Lady Priscilla's icy perfection. Miss Glyn is thus prejudiced against Lord Blake the moment this relationship becomes known to her, and Lady Priscilla, who is widely (and justly) believed to have set her cap for Lord Blake, is wildly jealous of Miss Glyn's proximity to Lord Blake, unbeknownst to poor Miss Glyn.
The P&P comparison continues . There is drama, there is a confrontation, and Miss Glyn and Lord Blake work together to solve the mystery of this evil plot.
There is a lot of clever and quick dialogue exchanged between the two throughout the novel, especially when they are fighting their admiration for each other in the beginning. Eventually, they cry pax and become friends, bonding over their Shakespeare quotation duels and love of prime horse flesh. And after that...the friendship turns into something more. Lord Blake is pretty beta as a hero, but he seemed charming enough and appreciative of a quick-witted young woman, whom he likes (in the words of Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones's Diary) "just the way she is."
As expected with a traditional Regency, the romance here is subtle. In fact, sometimes it was too subtle for my tastes. There were a lot of speaking glances, heavy pauses, holding her hand too long, etc. The end felt a little uneven for me.
Even so, I really enjoyed this book and the lively character of Miss Glyn. The author makes some glaring mistakes in address (e.g., Lady Priscilla, the daughter of an earl, is referred to as "Lady Inglewood" throughout). However, if you can overlook that and don't mind a non-steamy read, the clever writing and humorous antics are worth it.
The plot loosely reminds me of (dare I say it?) Pride and Prejudice. *gasp* I know those are strong words...but hear me out! Miss Glyn is best friends with and companion to the acknowledged beauty of the season, Miss Georgina Fairfax. Lord Blake's close friend, Sir William Atherton, begs an introduction to Miss Fairfax. The two are introduced, and, c'est voila!, they are enamored of each other, pretty much at first sight.
Of course, Lord Blake is thrown into Miss Glyn's path throughout this courtship. What is shocking, however, is Miss Glyn seems to want nothing to do with him! Miss Glyn, it turns out, has observed Lord Blake's friendship with a neighbor of his, Lady Priscilla Inglewood (or, as Miss Glyn calls her, Lady Perfection Incarnate). Lady Priscilla and Miss Glyn have been at daggers drawn since Miss Glyn's debut season, when her hoydenish antics and behavior were the antithesis of Lady Priscilla's icy perfection. Miss Glyn is thus prejudiced against Lord Blake the moment this relationship becomes known to her, and Lady Priscilla, who is widely (and justly) believed to have set her cap for Lord Blake, is wildly jealous of Miss Glyn's proximity to Lord Blake, unbeknownst to poor Miss Glyn.
The P&P comparison continues . There is drama, there is a confrontation, and Miss Glyn and Lord Blake work together to solve the mystery of this evil plot.
There is a lot of clever and quick dialogue exchanged between the two throughout the novel, especially when they are fighting their admiration for each other in the beginning. Eventually, they cry pax and become friends, bonding over their Shakespeare quotation duels and love of prime horse flesh. And after that...the friendship turns into something more. Lord Blake is pretty beta as a hero, but he seemed charming enough and appreciative of a quick-witted young woman, whom he likes (in the words of Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones's Diary) "just the way she is."
As expected with a traditional Regency, the romance here is subtle. In fact, sometimes it was too subtle for my tastes. There were a lot of speaking glances, heavy pauses, holding her hand too long, etc. The end felt a little uneven for me.
Even so, I really enjoyed this book and the lively character of Miss Glyn. The author makes some glaring mistakes in address (e.g., Lady Priscilla, the daughter of an earl, is referred to as "Lady Inglewood" throughout). However, if you can overlook that and don't mind a non-steamy read, the clever writing and humorous antics are worth it.
October 30, 2014
This is the novel that made me wish I could write a Regency Romance.
Smart - very smart. Snappy Shakespearean quotation duels that I adored. Our Heroine is just awesome. Strong, wise, but vulnerable in her own way. Our Hero is smart, adorable, and the kind of take-charge fellow that she needs.
Kate Glyn is not your average society miss that tended to roam Mayfair streets back in the Regencies of the 1990’s. She was older, for one, and she was independent, for another. Considered worldly wise, Miss Glyn acted as a chaperone, not a debutante. This status allowed Martin, our author, to give a kind of detached, wry humor to her prose that served everyone well.
Kate Glyn, you see, makes her own rules.
Anyway. I could quote huge portions of this story with a blissful disregard for screen space, but I shan’t. Just understand that it’s all very amusing. The romance between Miss Glyn and Lord Blake is peppered with polite sarcasm, glorious Shakespearean quoting duels, and a tender good will that they each manage to hide with some success up until the very end. The proposal is much the same, which gives me hope that the pair of them will continue in a happy life forever.
Even eons after having read this book the first time, I still hold Miss Glyn close to my heart as a wonderful heroine. She isn’t vastly adventurous, she has done some odd things and isn’t a swooning sort of female, but she is intelligent and she endeavors to wrest the most from what could have been a sad and angsty life in the hands of any other woman. I like her heart.
Finding this book might be a trial, but I hope you can. :) I had to get my copy via a second hand bookstore after a long search. It is totally worth it.
Smart - very smart. Snappy Shakespearean quotation duels that I adored. Our Heroine is just awesome. Strong, wise, but vulnerable in her own way. Our Hero is smart, adorable, and the kind of take-charge fellow that she needs.
Kate Glyn is not your average society miss that tended to roam Mayfair streets back in the Regencies of the 1990’s. She was older, for one, and she was independent, for another. Considered worldly wise, Miss Glyn acted as a chaperone, not a debutante. This status allowed Martin, our author, to give a kind of detached, wry humor to her prose that served everyone well.
Kate Glyn, you see, makes her own rules.
“That is the end of this morning’s entertainment,” she said cheerfully, moving between brother and sister and slipping an arm through each of theirs. She began to lead them to the front door, talking gaily as she went. “It was a such a pleasure seeing you again. Give my regards to whomever you think best, remember me in your prayers, and now, adieu.”
“B-B-Beg pardon?” Mr. Carrington stammered, halfway into the hall.
“I am throwing you out,” Miss Glyn informed him.
“But whatever for?” the befuddled Mr. Carrington demanded.
“Because you are here.”
…
With a hearty sigh for a job well done, Miss Glyn returned to the drawing room, closed the door behind her, turned, and beheld the handsome figure of Lord Blake leaning against the fireplace mantle.
“What,” Miss Glyn demanded, “are you doing here?”
“Oughtn’t I to be? Lord Blake said imperturbably as he advanced upon Miss Glyn. “I am. on my oath, positively quaking in my shoes at the thought of what you might do to throw me out of the house.”
“You are wearing boots,” Miss Glyn observed.
Lord Blake carefully scrutinized himself through his quizzing glass. “With these breeches? I should hope so!”
Anyway. I could quote huge portions of this story with a blissful disregard for screen space, but I shan’t. Just understand that it’s all very amusing. The romance between Miss Glyn and Lord Blake is peppered with polite sarcasm, glorious Shakespearean quoting duels, and a tender good will that they each manage to hide with some success up until the very end. The proposal is much the same, which gives me hope that the pair of them will continue in a happy life forever.
Even eons after having read this book the first time, I still hold Miss Glyn close to my heart as a wonderful heroine. She isn’t vastly adventurous, she has done some odd things and isn’t a swooning sort of female, but she is intelligent and she endeavors to wrest the most from what could have been a sad and angsty life in the hands of any other woman. I like her heart.
Finding this book might be a trial, but I hope you can. :) I had to get my copy via a second hand bookstore after a long search. It is totally worth it.
November 12, 2022
Erotyka bez grama erotyki. Raczej powieśc obyczajowa niż romans, z intrygą na pierwszym miejscu. Trochę wtórne, ale podtrzymuję to, co już pisałam o tej autorce - ona naprawdę potrafi pisać dialogi i tworzyć chemię między bohaterami.
September 23, 2024
4.5 Star
I loved the heroine's voice. It was absolutely unique. There were minor historical inaccuracies and the subplot at 75% of the book became a bit boring but I enjoyed this read a lot. Definitely a recommendation.
I loved the heroine's voice. It was absolutely unique. There were minor historical inaccuracies and the subplot at 75% of the book became a bit boring but I enjoyed this read a lot. Definitely a recommendation.
May 31, 2025
This story never really captured my imagination at all! Some things were just too hard to swallow, and the last part of the book was all forced and rushed in my personal opinion. I see that quite a few folks have enjoyed this book, but I am not a fan. To each his own.
August 16, 2019
One of my all-time favorite regency romances! So fun! The Shakespearean based repartee alone makes it worth a read. Love the fiesty heroine. Think regency Much Do About Nothing and enjoy!
April 7, 2015
This review also appears on Pretty Sassy Cool.
This is the novel that made me wish I could write a Regency Romance.
Smart - very smart. Snappy Shakespearean quotation duels that I adored. Our Heroine is just awesome. Strong, wise, but vulnerable in her own way. Our Hero is smart, adorable, and the kind of take-charge fellow that she needs.
Kate Glyn is not your average society miss that tended to roam Mayfair streets back in the Regencies of the 1990’s. She was older, for one, and she was independent, for another. Considered worldly wise, Miss Glyn acted as a chaperone, not a debutante. This status allowed Martin, our author, to give a kind of detached, wry humor to her prose that served everyone well.
Kate Glyn, you see, makes her own rules.
Anyway. I could quote huge portions of this story with a blissful disregard for screen space, but I shan’t. Just understand that it’s all very amusing. The romance between Miss Glyn and Lord Blake is peppered with polite sarcasm, glorious Shakespearean quoting duels, and a tender good will that they each manage to hide with some success up until the very end. The proposal is much the same, which gives me hope that the pair of them will continue in a happy life forever.
Even eons after having read this book the first time, I still hold Miss Glyn close to my heart as a wonderful heroine. She isn’t vastly adventurous, she has done some odd things and isn’t a swooning sort of female, but she is intelligent and she endeavors to wrest the most from what could have been a sad and angsty life in the hands of any other woman. I like her heart.
Finding this book might be a trial, but I hope you can. :) I had to get my copy via a second hand bookstore after a long search. It is totally worth it.
--
For more reviews and bookish talk, visit our blog at Pretty Sassy Cool
This is the novel that made me wish I could write a Regency Romance.
Smart - very smart. Snappy Shakespearean quotation duels that I adored. Our Heroine is just awesome. Strong, wise, but vulnerable in her own way. Our Hero is smart, adorable, and the kind of take-charge fellow that she needs.
Kate Glyn is not your average society miss that tended to roam Mayfair streets back in the Regencies of the 1990’s. She was older, for one, and she was independent, for another. Considered worldly wise, Miss Glyn acted as a chaperone, not a debutante. This status allowed Martin, our author, to give a kind of detached, wry humor to her prose that served everyone well.
Kate Glyn, you see, makes her own rules.
“That is the end of this morning’s entertainment,” she said cheerfully, moving between brother and sister and slipping an arm through each of theirs. She began to lead them to the front door, talking gaily as she went. “It was a such a pleasure seeing you again. Give my regards to whomever you think best, remember me in your prayers, and now, adieu.”
“B-B-Beg pardon?” Mr. Carrington stammered, halfway into the hall.
“I am throwing you out,” Miss Glyn informed him.
“But whatever for?” the befuddled Mr. Carrington demanded.
“Because you are here.”
…
With a hearty sigh for a job well done, Miss Glyn returned to the drawing room, closed the door behind her, turned, and beheld the handsome figure of Lord Blake leaning against the fireplace mantle.
“What,” Miss Glyn demanded, “are you doing here?”
“Oughtn’t I to be? Lord Blake said imperturbably as he advanced upon Miss Glyn. “I am. on my oath, positively quaking in my shoes at the thought of what you might do to throw me out of the house.”
“You are wearing boots,” Miss Glyn observed.
Lord Blake carefully scrutinized himself through his quizzing glass. “With these breeches? I should hope so!”
Anyway. I could quote huge portions of this story with a blissful disregard for screen space, but I shan’t. Just understand that it’s all very amusing. The romance between Miss Glyn and Lord Blake is peppered with polite sarcasm, glorious Shakespearean quoting duels, and a tender good will that they each manage to hide with some success up until the very end. The proposal is much the same, which gives me hope that the pair of them will continue in a happy life forever.
Even eons after having read this book the first time, I still hold Miss Glyn close to my heart as a wonderful heroine. She isn’t vastly adventurous, she has done some odd things and isn’t a swooning sort of female, but she is intelligent and she endeavors to wrest the most from what could have been a sad and angsty life in the hands of any other woman. I like her heart.
Finding this book might be a trial, but I hope you can. :) I had to get my copy via a second hand bookstore after a long search. It is totally worth it.
--
For more reviews and bookish talk, visit our blog at Pretty Sassy Cool
May 20, 2018
My dear fellow readers, I am appalled that despite the author’s illiberal sprinkling (with a fire hose) of Shakespeare quotations throughout this delightful book, none of you recognized Much Ado About Nothing set in the Regency. Tsk tsk tsk. That being said, could some nice publisher PLEASE issue this classic in hard cover? My paperback is in tatters.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews