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A Series of Worthy Young Ladies #1
The Meddler
A Mistaken Lord and a Meddling Lady!
Welcome to book 1 in one of the most anticipated series A Series of Worthy Young Ladies from bestselling author Kate Archer.
Six highly placed matrons mourn their lack of daughters until they devise a scheme to launch eligible girls in need of assistance, and so The Society of Sponsoring Ladies is born.
Miss Georgiana Wilcox, eldest daughter of the sixteenth Baron of Manley, has done just what she liked in her little corner of England. She is not unaware that her family’s fortunes have been dwindling for the past three generations, nor that her upbringing has not been up to snuff. Her father has regrets from time to time, as his daughter has never had a tutor, musical or otherwise, and he never did get around to purchasing a proper sidesaddle. For all that, Georgiana is rather cheerful regarding her circumstances and imagines she’ll marry some dashing soldier who might pass through the neighborhood. That is, until the Countess of Mendleton devises a plan to launch her in London.
Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley and heir to the Earl of Mendleton, is rendered speechless over his mother’s latest plan. Some unknown and penniless lady from an equally unknown family is to be taken under Lady Mendleton’s wing. As his mother is a great adopter of the needy—human and canine both—he presumes the young lady is one more lost soul to be rescued. He determines he’ll have nothing to do with the project, as he’s far too busy working for the queen. Though, he does find Miss Wilcox very pleasant to look at. More than pleasant, actually.
Jasper is directed by Queen Charlotte to achieve what appears to be a simple task—discover the villain who dares talk to the newspapers about the king’s maladies. As he digs deeper, though, it becomes apparent that gossip is the least of their problems. The Stuart has left Russia and Jasper believes he may be in England, poised to take advantage of the incapacity of the king and make a run at the throne. Worse, he discovers evidence that Miss Wilcox is a part of it.
Can Jasper unravel the plot in time to keep Miss Wilcox out of the Tower? Or perhaps he will realize that it’s him that needs saving…
A Series of Worthy Young Ladies
The Meddler
The Sprinter
The Undaunted
The Champion
The Jilter
The Royal
Welcome to book 1 in one of the most anticipated series A Series of Worthy Young Ladies from bestselling author Kate Archer.
Six highly placed matrons mourn their lack of daughters until they devise a scheme to launch eligible girls in need of assistance, and so The Society of Sponsoring Ladies is born.
Miss Georgiana Wilcox, eldest daughter of the sixteenth Baron of Manley, has done just what she liked in her little corner of England. She is not unaware that her family’s fortunes have been dwindling for the past three generations, nor that her upbringing has not been up to snuff. Her father has regrets from time to time, as his daughter has never had a tutor, musical or otherwise, and he never did get around to purchasing a proper sidesaddle. For all that, Georgiana is rather cheerful regarding her circumstances and imagines she’ll marry some dashing soldier who might pass through the neighborhood. That is, until the Countess of Mendleton devises a plan to launch her in London.
Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley and heir to the Earl of Mendleton, is rendered speechless over his mother’s latest plan. Some unknown and penniless lady from an equally unknown family is to be taken under Lady Mendleton’s wing. As his mother is a great adopter of the needy—human and canine both—he presumes the young lady is one more lost soul to be rescued. He determines he’ll have nothing to do with the project, as he’s far too busy working for the queen. Though, he does find Miss Wilcox very pleasant to look at. More than pleasant, actually.
Jasper is directed by Queen Charlotte to achieve what appears to be a simple task—discover the villain who dares talk to the newspapers about the king’s maladies. As he digs deeper, though, it becomes apparent that gossip is the least of their problems. The Stuart has left Russia and Jasper believes he may be in England, poised to take advantage of the incapacity of the king and make a run at the throne. Worse, he discovers evidence that Miss Wilcox is a part of it.
Can Jasper unravel the plot in time to keep Miss Wilcox out of the Tower? Or perhaps he will realize that it’s him that needs saving…
A Series of Worthy Young Ladies
The Meddler
The Sprinter
The Undaunted
The Champion
The Jilter
The Royal
268 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2022
About the author
Kate Archer
35 books109 followersBy the time I was eleven, my Irish Nana and I had formed a book club of sorts. On a timetable only known to herself, Nana would grab her blackthorn walking stick and steam down to the local Woolworth’s. There, she would buy the latest Barbara Cartland romance, hurry home to read it accompanied by viciously strong wine, (Wild Irish Rose, if you’re wondering) and then pass the book on to me. Though I was not particularly interested in real boys yet, I was very interested in the gentlemen in those stories—daring, bold, and often enraging and unaccountable. After my Barbara Cartland phase, I went on to Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen and so many other gifted authors blessed with the ability to bring the Georgian and Regency eras to life.
I would like nothing more than to time travel back to the Regency (and time travel back to my twenties as long as we’re going somewhere) to take my chances at a ball. Who would take the first? Who would escort me into supper? What sort of meaningful looks would be exchanged? I would hope, having made the trip, to encounter a gentleman who would give me a very hard time. He ought to be vexatious in the extreme, and worth every vexation, to make the journey worthwhile.
I most likely won’t be able to work out the time travel gambit, so I will content myself with writing stories of adventure and romance in my beloved time period. There are lives to be created, marvelous gowns to wear, jewels to don, instant attractions that inevitably come with a difficulty, and hearts to break before putting them back together again. In traditional Regency fashion, my stories are clean—the action happens in a drawing room, rather than a bedroom.
As I muse over what will happen next to my H and h, and wish I were there with them, I will occasionally remind myself that it’s also nice to have a microwave, Netflix, cheese popcorn, and steaming hot showers.
Come see me on Facebook - @KateArcherAuthor or visit my website at https://katearcher.weebly.com
I would like nothing more than to time travel back to the Regency (and time travel back to my twenties as long as we’re going somewhere) to take my chances at a ball. Who would take the first? Who would escort me into supper? What sort of meaningful looks would be exchanged? I would hope, having made the trip, to encounter a gentleman who would give me a very hard time. He ought to be vexatious in the extreme, and worth every vexation, to make the journey worthwhile.
I most likely won’t be able to work out the time travel gambit, so I will content myself with writing stories of adventure and romance in my beloved time period. There are lives to be created, marvelous gowns to wear, jewels to don, instant attractions that inevitably come with a difficulty, and hearts to break before putting them back together again. In traditional Regency fashion, my stories are clean—the action happens in a drawing room, rather than a bedroom.
As I muse over what will happen next to my H and h, and wish I were there with them, I will occasionally remind myself that it’s also nice to have a microwave, Netflix, cheese popcorn, and steaming hot showers.
Come see me on Facebook - @KateArcherAuthor or visit my website at https://katearcher.weebly.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 17, 2022
Perhaps he might indicate his lack of interest in musical ability? No, that was probably not right – she might not like to be reminded that she was in the habit of thrashing the pianoforte rather than playing it.
A group of women placed in high society who have always wanted daughters decide to fulfill those motherly ambitions by sponsoring impoverished young ladies. But Jasper is afraid that his mother Lady Mendleton’s choice may be a traitor… if only he hadn’t fallen in love with her!
This is the first book in a new series, and based on the strength of the offering I will certainly continue on with them. I really enjoyed the style of writing, which was humorous without being over-the-top, gentle with all its characters, and had an enjoyable situation to unwind. The leads, Georgiana and Jasper, are quite ordinary people, but that very much adds to their charm. I also liked how kindly the author handled characters such as Annabelle and Lady Mendleton who in another’s hands might have been so easily dismissed as silly people.
On the other hand, I did not love how quick Jasper was to jump to conclusions that Georgiana was a traitor – he put together a whole unlikely sequence of events about what was driving her and became quite determined to rescue her. It was amusing, but also on occasion frustrating for how illogical an otherwise sensible character was behaving. I also wished we saw more of the developing relationship between Georgiana and Jasper on-page. Finally, the plot of the true traitor was quite easy to unwind, though the author did surprise me in two aspects.
A light and enjoyable read, good for those who like low-angst Regency romance without sex scenes.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
A group of women placed in high society who have always wanted daughters decide to fulfill those motherly ambitions by sponsoring impoverished young ladies. But Jasper is afraid that his mother Lady Mendleton’s choice may be a traitor… if only he hadn’t fallen in love with her!
This is the first book in a new series, and based on the strength of the offering I will certainly continue on with them. I really enjoyed the style of writing, which was humorous without being over-the-top, gentle with all its characters, and had an enjoyable situation to unwind. The leads, Georgiana and Jasper, are quite ordinary people, but that very much adds to their charm. I also liked how kindly the author handled characters such as Annabelle and Lady Mendleton who in another’s hands might have been so easily dismissed as silly people.
On the other hand, I did not love how quick Jasper was to jump to conclusions that Georgiana was a traitor – he put together a whole unlikely sequence of events about what was driving her and became quite determined to rescue her. It was amusing, but also on occasion frustrating for how illogical an otherwise sensible character was behaving. I also wished we saw more of the developing relationship between Georgiana and Jasper on-page. Finally, the plot of the true traitor was quite easy to unwind, though the author did surprise me in two aspects.
A light and enjoyable read, good for those who like low-angst Regency romance without sex scenes.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
February 7, 2022
With this beginning of a new series, I am reminded of the saying: There are those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; and those who wondered what happened! All three are evident in this entertaining romance set against the background of political intrigue. Six society matrons have their first taste of the demands placed on mothers with daughters and one wonders whether they will survive the adventure. Viscount Langley's responsibilities to the Crown sometimes overtake his duties to his family, making him suspicious of everyone and everything, except for those within his own household. Georgiana Wilcox feels grateful for the opportunity presented to her but finds it much more difficult than she would have expected, especially as society events are so very different from the uncomplicated lifestyle she has enjoyed. Her entrée into society is carefully orchestrated by the six matrons, but even so, her faux pas become the talk of the town. Added to her blunders are the snippets of circumstantial evidence that lead Jasper to believe that Georgiana is part of the plot he is investigating, despite his attraction to her, leaving him befuddled and confused. Fortunately, the heroine is a level-headed young lady who comes to realize that all she has to do is be herself. The story comes to a sweet and successful conclusion, with the butler pretending, as always, that he was fully in control of the situation. I received a copy of this amusing novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
February 8, 2022
A new series & six highly placed matrons mourn their lack of daughters so they form The Society of Sponsoring Ladies & devise a scheme to launch eligible girls in need of assistance. Each matron will launch one young lady & their husbands will provide a two thousand pound dowry.
Miss Georgiana Wilcox is happy with her life in the country, until the Countess of Mendleton devises a plan to launch her in London. Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley & his father the Earl of Mendleton, are used to the Countess taking in the needy whether it be a dog or a servant so they take her launching a young lady in their stride. Jasper determines he’ll have nothing to do with the project, as he’s far too busy working for the queen & has been directed by Queen Charlotte to achieve what appears to be a simple task—discover the villain who dares talk to the newspapers about the king’s maladies. As he digs deeper, though, it becomes apparent that gossip is the least of their problems. The Stuart has left Russia and Jasper believes he may be in England, poised to take advantage of the incapacity of the king and make a run at the throne. Worse, he discovers evidence that Miss Wilcox is a part of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this light hearted romp, it was full of humour as well as some suspense & intrigue. I really liked both Jasper & Georgiana, they were perfect for each other, although there was chemistry between them it didn't sizzle but did gradually grow. There were plenty of assumptions & misunderstandings along the way. Georgiana was a delight, a frightful pianist, no skill at drawing & had only ever ridden astride, her first attempt at using a side saddle was hilarious, she was highly intelligent however. Jasper seemed a little blinkered at times but eventually he worked things out, with Georgiana’s help. A charming start to the series & I hope the rest of the matrons have their hands full too.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Miss Georgiana Wilcox is happy with her life in the country, until the Countess of Mendleton devises a plan to launch her in London. Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley & his father the Earl of Mendleton, are used to the Countess taking in the needy whether it be a dog or a servant so they take her launching a young lady in their stride. Jasper determines he’ll have nothing to do with the project, as he’s far too busy working for the queen & has been directed by Queen Charlotte to achieve what appears to be a simple task—discover the villain who dares talk to the newspapers about the king’s maladies. As he digs deeper, though, it becomes apparent that gossip is the least of their problems. The Stuart has left Russia and Jasper believes he may be in England, poised to take advantage of the incapacity of the king and make a run at the throne. Worse, he discovers evidence that Miss Wilcox is a part of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this light hearted romp, it was full of humour as well as some suspense & intrigue. I really liked both Jasper & Georgiana, they were perfect for each other, although there was chemistry between them it didn't sizzle but did gradually grow. There were plenty of assumptions & misunderstandings along the way. Georgiana was a delight, a frightful pianist, no skill at drawing & had only ever ridden astride, her first attempt at using a side saddle was hilarious, she was highly intelligent however. Jasper seemed a little blinkered at times but eventually he worked things out, with Georgiana’s help. A charming start to the series & I hope the rest of the matrons have their hands full too.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
February 13, 2022
A ROYAL PLOT
Six ladies form THE SOCIETY OF SPONSORING LADIES. All have birthed heirs and some a spare or more, but no daughters. Since they are past the childbearing years, they will sponsor a young lady with no money for a season. Georgiana Wilcox is the daughter of a Baron barely keeping his estate afloat. Lady Mendleton is her sponsor. Once she arrives in London her attention is immediately caught by Lady Mendleton's son Jasper, Lord Langley. Jasper works for Queen Charlotte to suppress any rumors concerning King George and his madness. Georgiana comes under suspicion and Jasper's is determined to save the woman he loves.
Nothing in this courtship is smooth sailing. A mystery romance set in an unsettling time in British history. A lot of meddlers keep the plot moving with humor and tears.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Six ladies form THE SOCIETY OF SPONSORING LADIES. All have birthed heirs and some a spare or more, but no daughters. Since they are past the childbearing years, they will sponsor a young lady with no money for a season. Georgiana Wilcox is the daughter of a Baron barely keeping his estate afloat. Lady Mendleton is her sponsor. Once she arrives in London her attention is immediately caught by Lady Mendleton's son Jasper, Lord Langley. Jasper works for Queen Charlotte to suppress any rumors concerning King George and his madness. Georgiana comes under suspicion and Jasper's is determined to save the woman he loves.
Nothing in this courtship is smooth sailing. A mystery romance set in an unsettling time in British history. A lot of meddlers keep the plot moving with humor and tears.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
February 9, 2022
A wonderful premise for this story that had me excited to read! Six matrons getting together to help launch young ladies of society. Or should I say six bored ladies needing something to do!
The first victim, I mean young lady they pick, has not been in society, but allowed to do pretty much what she pleases! But the ladies are determined and she comes to London is thrown in the path of one Jasper Stapleton, whose mother is part of the ladies.
An introvert and an agent of the Crown. What could go wrong? An entertaining story that will make you smile and hope the next book in this new series comes out soon!
The first victim, I mean young lady they pick, has not been in society, but allowed to do pretty much what she pleases! But the ladies are determined and she comes to London is thrown in the path of one Jasper Stapleton, whose mother is part of the ladies.
An introvert and an agent of the Crown. What could go wrong? An entertaining story that will make you smile and hope the next book in this new series comes out soon!
June 18, 2024
I romped through Archer’s first series scattering five star reviews like rose petals, and this series is already going the same way. The author has a wonderfully humorous style of writing not just the upper classes but also the servant class, which adds a whole new dimension to the book.
Here’s the premise: six noble ladies who have not themselves had daughters decide to each sponsor a girl through the season, choosing someone who would not otherwise have the opportunity and hoping to triumphantly see each girl suitably married. The first girl chosen is Georgiana Wilcox, daughter of an impoverished baron, who is to be brought into society by Lady Mendleton. Like all the sponsoring ladies, Lady Mendelton has a mental image of how a daughter ought to be - sweet, gentle, demure and (naturally) highly accomplished at all the maidenly arts. Georgiana, she discovers, is not like that. Her unconventional upbringing has taught her to ride, but astride, not sidesaddle, she can’t sing, can’t play an instrument, doesn’t paint or draw or net purses. She’s also very direct, and no shrinking violet. Fortunately, she can dance, and she’s also smart, solving a murder puzzle before anyone else and winning a meeting with the Queen.
She’s been brought to London to find a husband, and there’s just one man who’s out of bounds, and that is Lady Mendleton’s own son, Jasper, Viscount Langley, who his mother has hopes of marrying off to Lady Annabelle Rumsford, a marquess’s daughter. Needless to say, Jasper turns out to be just the man to give Georgiana the wobbles, and it seems he might have the wobbles for her too…
Woven through this fairly straightforward romance is a somewhat implausible mystery involving Queen Charlotte, mad King George and the Stuart pretender to the throne. Jasper acts as an agent for the Queen, trying to find out who is passing information about the King’s madness to the newspapers. It has to be said at once that Jasper must be the world’s worst investigator, for he consistently jumps to the wrong conclusions, and never sees the patently obvious solution right under his own nose. For instance, having worked out that the information is spread from his own household and could be emanating from any of the residents, he then decides it must be Georgiana and sets a trap for her by leaving false information where it could easily be spotted, not just by her, but by anyone in the household. When that information is published, he decides he’s got proof that it’s her. Basically, he’s an idiot.
Georgiana’s progress through London society is very funny, especially the attempts to mount a horse fitted with a sidesaddle for the first time, which had me laughing till I cried. I’ve never before encountered a version of the Regency where a lady would drive to Hyde Park in a carriage with a groom bringing her horse, and then mount up in the park. It might have been done that way, I suppose, and it certainly makes for a gloriously public faux pas, but I’d have thought most riders would mount up in the mews behind the house, or the horse might be brought to the door, and then they’d ride to the park.
Can I just mention here how much I dislike Regency heroines who ride astride? I know it makes her unconventional and feisty and independent and all that jazz, but it also makes her outrageously scandalous. Whether you do it sensibly, in trousers, or impractically in a skirt that flies up and reveals most of your legs, it would be a shocking thing to do, as bad as the legendary bad thing of tying your garter in public. Even in a voluminous riding habit, designed to keep a lady’s legs decorously hidden, riding astride would reveal more than any respectable maiden should do. If you’ve seen season 2 of Bridgerton, you’ll know exactly what I mean. And as for jumping onto a horse astride in a ballgown - no. Just, no. And while I’m on the subject, one of Georgiana’s outings to the park (in a carriage, with the horse brought by a groom) has the groom riding her horse. So either the groom was riding sidesaddle or Georgiana was planning to ride astride. Either way, it’s a no no.
The romance isn’t the most sizzling in the world. The couple spend very little time together, and when they do we don’t really get much insight into what attracts them to each other apart from he’s handsome and she’s beautiful. But there are some nice moments of introspection. She’s sensibly trying not to be drawn to him, knowing she has an obligation to make a good match and he’s out of bounds. And he rather sweetly agonises over the right time to make his move. If he goes in too late, someone else might snaffle her, but he has to be sure. It’s tricky, and (frankly) he’s not the sharpest knife in the block, so he dithers a bit, but it was a nice insight. I’ve always known that it was difficult for women - does he like me or not, is he going to offer or not, and if someone who’s just meh offers, do I take him or hold out for the one I really want? But it wasn’t easy for men either!
The climax is pretty over the top, all things considered, with thicko Jasper getting himself in hot water, and Georgiana and half the servants having to rescue him. But it’s all quite neatly done, it brings all that romantic dithering to a resounding end, and it’s very funny, to boot, so no complaints from me. The writing is very readable, although with some Americanisms that triggered my (admittedly over-sensitive) pedantometer. Buckingham Palace was twice called simply Buckingham, which was pretty odd, and wasn’t it still Buckingham House at this point? We don’t have faucets in England, only taps. Dancing cards were a Victorian idea. And the author seems to have an aversion to adverbs, so there’s ‘arriving unexpected’ instead of ‘arriving unexpectedly’.
None of that mattered though, because the whole book was just so much fun that I’m going for five stars again.
Here’s the premise: six noble ladies who have not themselves had daughters decide to each sponsor a girl through the season, choosing someone who would not otherwise have the opportunity and hoping to triumphantly see each girl suitably married. The first girl chosen is Georgiana Wilcox, daughter of an impoverished baron, who is to be brought into society by Lady Mendleton. Like all the sponsoring ladies, Lady Mendelton has a mental image of how a daughter ought to be - sweet, gentle, demure and (naturally) highly accomplished at all the maidenly arts. Georgiana, she discovers, is not like that. Her unconventional upbringing has taught her to ride, but astride, not sidesaddle, she can’t sing, can’t play an instrument, doesn’t paint or draw or net purses. She’s also very direct, and no shrinking violet. Fortunately, she can dance, and she’s also smart, solving a murder puzzle before anyone else and winning a meeting with the Queen.
She’s been brought to London to find a husband, and there’s just one man who’s out of bounds, and that is Lady Mendleton’s own son, Jasper, Viscount Langley, who his mother has hopes of marrying off to Lady Annabelle Rumsford, a marquess’s daughter. Needless to say, Jasper turns out to be just the man to give Georgiana the wobbles, and it seems he might have the wobbles for her too…
Woven through this fairly straightforward romance is a somewhat implausible mystery involving Queen Charlotte, mad King George and the Stuart pretender to the throne. Jasper acts as an agent for the Queen, trying to find out who is passing information about the King’s madness to the newspapers. It has to be said at once that Jasper must be the world’s worst investigator, for he consistently jumps to the wrong conclusions, and never sees the patently obvious solution right under his own nose. For instance, having worked out that the information is spread from his own household and could be emanating from any of the residents, he then decides it must be Georgiana and sets a trap for her by leaving false information where it could easily be spotted, not just by her, but by anyone in the household. When that information is published, he decides he’s got proof that it’s her. Basically, he’s an idiot.
Georgiana’s progress through London society is very funny, especially the attempts to mount a horse fitted with a sidesaddle for the first time, which had me laughing till I cried. I’ve never before encountered a version of the Regency where a lady would drive to Hyde Park in a carriage with a groom bringing her horse, and then mount up in the park. It might have been done that way, I suppose, and it certainly makes for a gloriously public faux pas, but I’d have thought most riders would mount up in the mews behind the house, or the horse might be brought to the door, and then they’d ride to the park.
Can I just mention here how much I dislike Regency heroines who ride astride? I know it makes her unconventional and feisty and independent and all that jazz, but it also makes her outrageously scandalous. Whether you do it sensibly, in trousers, or impractically in a skirt that flies up and reveals most of your legs, it would be a shocking thing to do, as bad as the legendary bad thing of tying your garter in public. Even in a voluminous riding habit, designed to keep a lady’s legs decorously hidden, riding astride would reveal more than any respectable maiden should do. If you’ve seen season 2 of Bridgerton, you’ll know exactly what I mean. And as for jumping onto a horse astride in a ballgown - no. Just, no. And while I’m on the subject, one of Georgiana’s outings to the park (in a carriage, with the horse brought by a groom) has the groom riding her horse. So either the groom was riding sidesaddle or Georgiana was planning to ride astride. Either way, it’s a no no.
The romance isn’t the most sizzling in the world. The couple spend very little time together, and when they do we don’t really get much insight into what attracts them to each other apart from he’s handsome and she’s beautiful. But there are some nice moments of introspection. She’s sensibly trying not to be drawn to him, knowing she has an obligation to make a good match and he’s out of bounds. And he rather sweetly agonises over the right time to make his move. If he goes in too late, someone else might snaffle her, but he has to be sure. It’s tricky, and (frankly) he’s not the sharpest knife in the block, so he dithers a bit, but it was a nice insight. I’ve always known that it was difficult for women - does he like me or not, is he going to offer or not, and if someone who’s just meh offers, do I take him or hold out for the one I really want? But it wasn’t easy for men either!
The climax is pretty over the top, all things considered, with thicko Jasper getting himself in hot water, and Georgiana and half the servants having to rescue him. But it’s all quite neatly done, it brings all that romantic dithering to a resounding end, and it’s very funny, to boot, so no complaints from me. The writing is very readable, although with some Americanisms that triggered my (admittedly over-sensitive) pedantometer. Buckingham Palace was twice called simply Buckingham, which was pretty odd, and wasn’t it still Buckingham House at this point? We don’t have faucets in England, only taps. Dancing cards were a Victorian idea. And the author seems to have an aversion to adverbs, so there’s ‘arriving unexpected’ instead of ‘arriving unexpectedly’.
None of that mattered though, because the whole book was just so much fun that I’m going for five stars again.
April 12, 2022
2.2/5
🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Love at almost first sight (if you like that)
~ Importance of gaining/building trust
~ Some intrigue and political consideration of the time
~ Thomas’s joke
Georgiana and Jasper are thrown together after Jasper’s mother decides, together with her friends, to sponsor a distant family member for a season. While there Georgiana blossoms, is favoured by British Queen, attracts some suitors BUT unbeknownst to her, is caught up in unnecessarily complicated, yet slightly boring, political intrigue. For while Jasper grows to admire Georgiana he suspects she is in league with rebels who want to overthrow the mad British King and make the Prince appear unfit - TREASON!. Will Georgiana come to realise the machinations around her before she lands herself in serious trouble? Will Jasper use his brain and the VERY OBVIOUS clues to find out who the TRUE culprits are? Will the pair end up together in comfort and happiness? 💁
✨Give it a read.
🌱THE MEH
~ An extremely slow story with characters that aren’t particularly interesting
~ 🤦 Boring intrigue
~ Jasper seems determined to be oblivious and one wonders how he ever managed to be a spy 😬
~ Basically no seasoning and no spice
♡🌱 But that’s just me ;)
🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Love at almost first sight (if you like that)
~ Importance of gaining/building trust
~ Some intrigue and political consideration of the time
~ Thomas’s joke
Georgiana and Jasper are thrown together after Jasper’s mother decides, together with her friends, to sponsor a distant family member for a season. While there Georgiana blossoms, is favoured by British Queen, attracts some suitors BUT unbeknownst to her, is caught up in unnecessarily complicated, yet slightly boring, political intrigue. For while Jasper grows to admire Georgiana he suspects she is in league with rebels who want to overthrow the mad British King and make the Prince appear unfit - TREASON!. Will Georgiana come to realise the machinations around her before she lands herself in serious trouble? Will Jasper use his brain and the VERY OBVIOUS clues to find out who the TRUE culprits are? Will the pair end up together in comfort and happiness? 💁
✨Give it a read.
🌱THE MEH
~ An extremely slow story with characters that aren’t particularly interesting
~ 🤦 Boring intrigue
~ Jasper seems determined to be oblivious and one wonders how he ever managed to be a spy 😬
~ Basically no seasoning and no spice
♡🌱 But that’s just me ;)
May 20, 2023
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
When six ladies of the ton come together to form a society, sparked by their wish to launch a girl into society having never had their own daughter, Miss Georgiana Wilcox never expected she would be the first girl chosen. The daughter of a baron with little means to fund a Season, Georgiana has been raised without the usual accomplishments, and is more at home riding astride than in a side saddle. However, she wishes to marry, and knows that the kindness of Lady Mendleton is not to be scoffed at. But there's only one snag in the plan, and that's the Lady's handsome son, Jasper, Viscount Langley. She's attracted to him but knows he's too far above her status, and he's committed to his work for his queen.
This was a decent start to the series. I liked the premise of the Ladies forming their group because of their wish to launch a daughter, and can see the series being a great one. Georgiana and Jasper were decent characters, and I enjoyed their romance. I do wish they had spoken to each other a little more, especially Georgiana to Jasper. She knew that there was something wrong with the two villains, and she should have mentioned it, particularly when Jasper was so linked to the Queen, and the King's health. If she had, then life would've been so much easier for the pair, and there wouldn't have been any moments of heartbreak between them. The main villain was almost comical in his villainy, but it was fun nonetheless. I'm looking forward to book 2.
When six ladies of the ton come together to form a society, sparked by their wish to launch a girl into society having never had their own daughter, Miss Georgiana Wilcox never expected she would be the first girl chosen. The daughter of a baron with little means to fund a Season, Georgiana has been raised without the usual accomplishments, and is more at home riding astride than in a side saddle. However, she wishes to marry, and knows that the kindness of Lady Mendleton is not to be scoffed at. But there's only one snag in the plan, and that's the Lady's handsome son, Jasper, Viscount Langley. She's attracted to him but knows he's too far above her status, and he's committed to his work for his queen.
This was a decent start to the series. I liked the premise of the Ladies forming their group because of their wish to launch a daughter, and can see the series being a great one. Georgiana and Jasper were decent characters, and I enjoyed their romance. I do wish they had spoken to each other a little more, especially Georgiana to Jasper. She knew that there was something wrong with the two villains, and she should have mentioned it, particularly when Jasper was so linked to the Queen, and the King's health. If she had, then life would've been so much easier for the pair, and there wouldn't have been any moments of heartbreak between them. The main villain was almost comical in his villainy, but it was fun nonetheless. I'm looking forward to book 2.
October 1, 2025
I expected better of our MMC - Jasper. He works for the queen and in his efforts to aid her, he makes suppositions about people without real fact or thought to them. The decisions he makes about our MFC Georgiana don't hold up under any real scrutiny and I found that incredibly frustrating.
Georgiana was intelligent and kind and I liked her a lot.
Unlike other Kate Archer books I've read, the side characters (in this case the matrons) do not overly meddle. I appreciated that.
Georgiana was intelligent and kind and I liked her a lot.
Unlike other Kate Archer books I've read, the side characters (in this case the matrons) do not overly meddle. I appreciated that.
February 8, 2022
A charming tale full of mystery & intrigue. The mystery of this story kept you ever guessing. Though some guilty parties were more easily pinpointed, some involved took longer to ascertain. Georgiana is a delightful change from the typical London Miss. Being utterly untrained in most activities of a Lady, she is in possession of a clever mind and determined spirit. I found it rather amusing that Jasper could have honestly believed her at the core of attempts on the crown. The Lady’s Society is a lovely idea, and with Lady Mendleton’s penchant for strays she was the perfect choice for the test run of the Society. I did find however that the love story took place mostly off page, and therefore expressions of love seemed to come out of nowhere. But overall, once I got past that it was a rather entertaining story. The ending was a sweet tale that wrapped everything up nicely.
February 15, 2022
I really was hoping for a new twist on a Regency romance - I was disappointed. The book is well written with some good humor, but over all just another regency romance.
March 8, 2022
2.75 stars
The Meddler is a pleasant if somewhat tame story that kicks off a new series by Kate Archer. The series'premise is that a group of society matrons, who only have sons and lament not having daughters to dress up, decide to choose a young lady (one each) of limited means to sponsor for a season.
The first "winner" is one Georgiana Wilcox. The only child of a baron, Georgiana was raised unconventionally, or so it is stated. She doesn't play the pianoforte or sew, and she only knows how to ride astride. Supposedly, this lack of maidenly skills is supposed to be an issue when she arrives in town for a season, but after a couple of minor situations, she isn't particularly held back forth being a success.
Anyway, her sponsor's son, Jasper, soon catches her eye and she catches his, though I don't sense even the smallest spark between them. They actually spend little time together, especially when Jasper, the queen's confidant (and maybe an agent for the Crown; what he does for the queen was unclear to me), decides pretty much without any hard evidence that Georgiana is in league with the Stuart in a plot to taker over the crown. The true culprit is ridiculously easy to figure out; the fact that Jasper doesn't even get a tingle is weird. Regardless, Jasper also convinces himself that Georgiana was forced to commit treason, so he's going to save her.
So who while Jasper is running around jumping to conclusions instead of kissing Georgiana (this novel is quite chaste), Georgiana is dutifully participating in the Season. Eventually, it all comes to a head, but even then, the plot is polite and lacks excitement.
The story is not bad, but it lacks that certain je ne sais quoi. Five more books are coming to this series, but I'm not sure I want to read another one.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
The Meddler is a pleasant if somewhat tame story that kicks off a new series by Kate Archer. The series'premise is that a group of society matrons, who only have sons and lament not having daughters to dress up, decide to choose a young lady (one each) of limited means to sponsor for a season.
The first "winner" is one Georgiana Wilcox. The only child of a baron, Georgiana was raised unconventionally, or so it is stated. She doesn't play the pianoforte or sew, and she only knows how to ride astride. Supposedly, this lack of maidenly skills is supposed to be an issue when she arrives in town for a season, but after a couple of minor situations, she isn't particularly held back forth being a success.
Anyway, her sponsor's son, Jasper, soon catches her eye and she catches his, though I don't sense even the smallest spark between them. They actually spend little time together, especially when Jasper, the queen's confidant (and maybe an agent for the Crown; what he does for the queen was unclear to me), decides pretty much without any hard evidence that Georgiana is in league with the Stuart in a plot to taker over the crown. The true culprit is ridiculously easy to figure out; the fact that Jasper doesn't even get a tingle is weird. Regardless, Jasper also convinces himself that Georgiana was forced to commit treason, so he's going to save her.
So who while Jasper is running around jumping to conclusions instead of kissing Georgiana (this novel is quite chaste), Georgiana is dutifully participating in the Season. Eventually, it all comes to a head, but even then, the plot is polite and lacks excitement.
The story is not bad, but it lacks that certain je ne sais quoi. Five more books are coming to this series, but I'm not sure I want to read another one.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2022
Rather tedious to read and predictable
I skipped many, many pages to finally get to the end. I found the Tory to be rather predictable and tedious. I will not be reading the series, but I’m sure there are readers everywhere who would enjoy this story and the series.
I skipped many, many pages to finally get to the end. I found the Tory to be rather predictable and tedious. I will not be reading the series, but I’m sure there are readers everywhere who would enjoy this story and the series.
February 13, 2023
boring
What a miss mash of a story! The writer it was as though she put everything she could think of into the book but most of it didn’t need to be in it
What a miss mash of a story! The writer it was as though she put everything she could think of into the book but most of it didn’t need to be in it
May 14, 2022
This is the beginning to a new series and I always am eager to see just what the author is planning- not only for the current story but the theme for the overall series. Overall the blurb sums up the gist of the series, Six highly placed matrons mourn their lack of daughters until they devise a scheme to launch eligible girls in need of assistance, and so The Society of Sponsoring Ladies is born. Interpret that as six bored, wealthy, conspiring women decide to shake up the lives of six unsuspecting soon to be couples, let the anxiety, drama, misunderstandings, and romantic inclinations begin…Oh, did I forget some espionage and plots to overthrow of the king, yes that is included. 😉
The MCs are Miss Georgiana Wilcox, eldest daughter of the sixteenth Baron of Manley, has done just what she liked in her little corner of England. She is not unaware that her family’s fortunes have been dwindling for the past three generations, nor that her upbringing has not been up to snuff. Her father has regrets from time to time, as his daughter has never had a tutor, musical or otherwise, and he never did get around to purchasing a proper sidesaddle. For all that, Georgiana is rather cheerful regarding her circumstances and imagines she’ll marry some dashing soldier who might pass through the neighborhood. That is, until the Countess of Mendleton devises a plan to launch her in London.
The hero is Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley and heir to the Earl of Mendleton, is rendered speechless over his mother’s latest plan. Some unknown and penniless lady from an equally unknown family is to be taken under Lady Mendleton’s wing. As his mother is a great adopter of the needy—human and canine both—he presumes the young lady is one more lost soul to be rescued. He determines he’ll have nothing to do with the project, as he’s far too busy working for the queen. Though, he does find Miss Wilcox very pleasant to look at. More than pleasant, actually.
I was intrigued by the set up and I loved both MCs they were perfectly matched and their romance blossomed with a few subtle nudges. I am going to keep reading this series to see just what our conspiring matrons do in the following stories. Overall I am rating this story in the category of “good” with a solid 3-stars.
The parts of the story that just didn’t work for me were:
➡️With the set up including meddlesome characters and some light espionage activity I expected a quicker pace as it was the story was really slow in parts.
➡️ This is a romance yet it lacked chemistry and there was an extreme lack of passionate encounters between the MCs.
➡️ The traitor was easy to identify.
To sum it up this is a chaste romance with fun characters and I am planning to continue the series.
3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 0.5 Flames 🔥
📚I received a review copy of this book from Dragonblade Publishing and this review is free from influence and freely given. 📚
The MCs are Miss Georgiana Wilcox, eldest daughter of the sixteenth Baron of Manley, has done just what she liked in her little corner of England. She is not unaware that her family’s fortunes have been dwindling for the past three generations, nor that her upbringing has not been up to snuff. Her father has regrets from time to time, as his daughter has never had a tutor, musical or otherwise, and he never did get around to purchasing a proper sidesaddle. For all that, Georgiana is rather cheerful regarding her circumstances and imagines she’ll marry some dashing soldier who might pass through the neighborhood. That is, until the Countess of Mendleton devises a plan to launch her in London.
The hero is Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley and heir to the Earl of Mendleton, is rendered speechless over his mother’s latest plan. Some unknown and penniless lady from an equally unknown family is to be taken under Lady Mendleton’s wing. As his mother is a great adopter of the needy—human and canine both—he presumes the young lady is one more lost soul to be rescued. He determines he’ll have nothing to do with the project, as he’s far too busy working for the queen. Though, he does find Miss Wilcox very pleasant to look at. More than pleasant, actually.
I was intrigued by the set up and I loved both MCs they were perfectly matched and their romance blossomed with a few subtle nudges. I am going to keep reading this series to see just what our conspiring matrons do in the following stories. Overall I am rating this story in the category of “good” with a solid 3-stars.
The parts of the story that just didn’t work for me were:
➡️With the set up including meddlesome characters and some light espionage activity I expected a quicker pace as it was the story was really slow in parts.
➡️ This is a romance yet it lacked chemistry and there was an extreme lack of passionate encounters between the MCs.
➡️ The traitor was easy to identify.
To sum it up this is a chaste romance with fun characters and I am planning to continue the series.
3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 0.5 Flames 🔥
📚I received a review copy of this book from Dragonblade Publishing and this review is free from influence and freely given. 📚
February 14, 2022
The Meddler by Kate Archer is the first in a new series: A Series of Worthy Young Ladies. A group of ton ladies without daughters had gotten together with a new project in mind. They would each sponsor of a girl of good blood but with fathers with poor finances to her season. It would allow them to do all the things one would do with a daughter and therefore fulfill that emotional need. They were a fearsome group, each with her own peculiarities. Lady Mendleton would be the first out. She had already approached Baron Manley by mail regarding her sponsorship of his daughter, Miss Georgiana Wilcox. He had agreed and now Georgiana knew. She wasn't sure what to think except that she had not education, except that she had given herself, and none of the maidenly talents the ton would expect. The only thing she was good with was horses, but sadly, she couldn't even ride sidesaddle. Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley was a handsome young man who worked as a protector to the queen, rooting out those who intended to do her harm. He was also Lady Mendleton's son. And he suspected Georgiana of being a spy for the pretender, the Stuart, the last of the Stuart line, possible contenders for the throne.
Lady Georgiana was beautiful and brilliant, if not well educated. She was clever and noticed things. She noticed Jasper, but knew anything between them was unlikely. Still, she couldn't help her warm feelings for him. Jasper, was also gifted with good looks, and a clever, quick mind. He was altogether too suspicious, though, and jumped to conclusions. Their romance was a covert one, with he investigating her while dealing with his growing feelings. The reader knew who the spy was, almost from the beginning. There was another surprise, though. I was a thoughtful and enticing book with good characters and a simple, but effective plot. I enjoyed it.
I was invited to read The Meddler by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #dragonblade #katearcher #themeddler
Lady Georgiana was beautiful and brilliant, if not well educated. She was clever and noticed things. She noticed Jasper, but knew anything between them was unlikely. Still, she couldn't help her warm feelings for him. Jasper, was also gifted with good looks, and a clever, quick mind. He was altogether too suspicious, though, and jumped to conclusions. Their romance was a covert one, with he investigating her while dealing with his growing feelings. The reader knew who the spy was, almost from the beginning. There was another surprise, though. I was a thoughtful and enticing book with good characters and a simple, but effective plot. I enjoyed it.
I was invited to read The Meddler by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #dragonblade #katearcher #themeddler
February 6, 2022
This is the start of a new series set around a group of Society matrons who always wanted to have a daughter to spoil. Sometimes getting what you want doesn't quite work out how you think it will.
Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley is far too busy trying to protect the Crown from malicious people to concern himself with his mother's latest rescue project.
For an intelligent man our hero can sometimes let his imagination run away with him. He's so busy chasing that, he can't see what's happening under his nose.
As a minor Baron's daughter, Miss Georgiana Wilcox has not been brought up with any delusions about her prospects. She just does what she likes. Someday she will probably marry a soldier. That is until a very distant relation decided to change everything.
Our heroine is a bit like a fish out of water in Town Society. She might be beautiful and intelligent but she doesn't know the things she needs to. She is very grateful for the opportunity and wouldn't do anything to upset her dear sponsor.
This is a very amusing story with characters that often seem to get lost in their own minds, ( even the butler). There is political intrigue, humour and a daring rescue. All very entertaining and promises to make a series that we will become addicted to.
Great fun.
Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley is far too busy trying to protect the Crown from malicious people to concern himself with his mother's latest rescue project.
For an intelligent man our hero can sometimes let his imagination run away with him. He's so busy chasing that, he can't see what's happening under his nose.
As a minor Baron's daughter, Miss Georgiana Wilcox has not been brought up with any delusions about her prospects. She just does what she likes. Someday she will probably marry a soldier. That is until a very distant relation decided to change everything.
Our heroine is a bit like a fish out of water in Town Society. She might be beautiful and intelligent but she doesn't know the things she needs to. She is very grateful for the opportunity and wouldn't do anything to upset her dear sponsor.
This is a very amusing story with characters that often seem to get lost in their own minds, ( even the butler). There is political intrigue, humour and a daring rescue. All very entertaining and promises to make a series that we will become addicted to.
Great fun.
February 17, 2022
This is my first book by Ms Archer and I guarantee it won't be my last. This is the first installment of A Series of Worthy Young Ladies series and what a brilliant start it is! The premise of the book drew me in. Six matrons of society, mourning the fact of not having any daughters of their own, come together to help launch young ladies into society. Six matching making mamas, so to speak! This makes for a delightfully fun and charming story, I'd say! The first victim, that is to say candidate, is Miss Georgiana Wilcox. Georgiana is an intelligent and beautiful young lady, but when it comes to knowing how to portray herself in society, she is at a loss. This is where Lady Mendleton comes in, one of the six matrons, who is sponsoring her. When she arrives in London, she catches the eye of Jasper, son of Lady Mendelton. Jasper is a shy, introvert that works for the crown. This was a thoroughly charming story filled with intrigue and mystery and wonderfully delightful characters. I enjoyed the build up of the romance between Jasper and Georgiana - they were so perfect together. Such a fun and captivating story! This is one series I fully intend to follow!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
November 16, 2022
This book started out as an easily five-star read for me. I liked both main characters very much, particularly Georgiana of-the-little-accomplishments. The players were introduced with humor and warmth, and the plot was so clever, weaving a web of circumstances that cast suspicion on Georgiana that Jasper could not dismiss. However, I notched it down to four stars at about the halfway point when Jasper was too stupid to look at the newest member of his household staff (a man who couldn’t do his job and came recommended by a new acquaintance) as an additional suspect when the facts implicating Georgiana didn’t seem to add up . He really wasn’t smart enough to be an agent of the crown. In addition, the writing got horribly bogged down in endless—and sometimes pointless—internal dialogue for the entire rest of the book, then the writer started burying the plot and characters in endless detailed descriptions: of dresses, of ballrooms, of the demands made on footmen. The book began to seem…endless. Then the big denouement came and was such a letdown I ended up with a three-star rating.
I will read the next book in this series and hope it doesn’t run out of steam at the halfway point. If it does, I’ll never know how the other four Society ladies fared.
I will read the next book in this series and hope it doesn’t run out of steam at the halfway point. If it does, I’ll never know how the other four Society ladies fared.
February 13, 2022
The premise is unique and enjoyable. I will look forward to the other 5 Ladies to get their temporary daughters. I read the author's other series called The Dukes Pact. This is somewhat similar, but with a twist.
This is a clean story with only a few kisses. Little on romance or much interaction except at dinner. So when they each declared to themselves they were in love I was floored, especially by the H.
Some suspense, intrigue and definitely a huge twist who one of the villains were. I do like a who done it story so this was entertaining. The H had a conversation with someone his mother wanted him to marry. I cheered when he put this women in her place. Some honest dialogue but felt if they had more of it he wouldn't have jumped to so many wrong conclusions.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, little on romance and clean. I'm not going into the blurb because I can't improve on it. Just recommending this story and author. I will be reading more of the series. (ljb)
This is a clean story with only a few kisses. Little on romance or much interaction except at dinner. So when they each declared to themselves they were in love I was floored, especially by the H.
Some suspense, intrigue and definitely a huge twist who one of the villains were. I do like a who done it story so this was entertaining. The H had a conversation with someone his mother wanted him to marry. I cheered when he put this women in her place. Some honest dialogue but felt if they had more of it he wouldn't have jumped to so many wrong conclusions.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, little on romance and clean. I'm not going into the blurb because I can't improve on it. Just recommending this story and author. I will be reading more of the series. (ljb)
February 16, 2022
It was fine, but there were things that I kept getting annoyed about. The heroine was enjoyable but she fell into the "not like other girls" type. She's not like all the other debutantes, she's ***Different*** she likes horses! She's **special**. They keep making mention that she was very direct, but it wasn't shown much. They did show her being intelligent a few times.
But really I think I was let down by the Hero. For someone who is supposedly very embroiled in royal intrigue, WHY
The couple didn't have enough interactions to make the love story believable enough for me. But I like the premise enough. The secondary women characters were good, I liked that they weren't put down, or at the very least, they were redeemable.
It was fine. Nothing memorable.
But really I think I was let down by the Hero. For someone who is supposedly very embroiled in royal intrigue, WHY
The couple didn't have enough interactions to make the love story believable enough for me. But I like the premise enough. The secondary women characters were good, I liked that they weren't put down, or at the very least, they were redeemable.
It was fine. Nothing memorable.
January 12, 2025
I loved everything about this book! It’s romantic, it’s funny, there are feels, thoughts, doubts, misunderstandings, love, friendship, there’s a villain, great writing, a good pace and a happily ever after. I truly enjoyed reading it a lot! I loved the storyline. The main characters are wonderful, and the secondary characters are great fun, too. The countess of Mendleton who craves doting on a daughter; her husband who claims to have ‘gout’ but just can’t abide parties; silly Annabelle who knows she is quite stupid but you just have to love; maid Jenny who can’t help yapping about everything and everybody; and even the two Pomeranians of Queen Charlotte. This book is just sublime; so much fun but with a realistic slow burn lovestory. Kate Archer has become one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series! After finishing this review I am going to start reading part two in the Series of Worthy Young Ladies: The Sprinter. Thank you Kate Archer, for another great book; you are the best!
July 7, 2025
Lady Mendleton and her friend's all have sons but no daughters, leading them to form a group to sponsor daughters of gentry with no money to provide their daughters with a season. Lady Mendleton does not seem to care for details. She just assumes that Georgina, the young lady she has chosen to sponsor, has all the skills needed to have a successful season but soon finds this is not the case. Lord Jasper Langley is good at jumping to conclusions and running risk assessments through his mind but not always attentive to details despite his work for Queen Charlotte. Whereas Georgina observes what is happening around her but is considerate of other people's feelings and minding her own business by not sharing what she has seen unless asked a direct question.
There is a mystery mixed in this story with clues gradually revealed that seem to be bypassed by Jasper yet observed by Georgina, considered yet not taken seriously as Georgina considers it not her business.
Enjoyable story! Loved the Butlers perspective!
There is a mystery mixed in this story with clues gradually revealed that seem to be bypassed by Jasper yet observed by Georgina, considered yet not taken seriously as Georgina considers it not her business.
Enjoyable story! Loved the Butlers perspective!
August 16, 2025
I was in the mood for something light-hearted, humorous and sweet. And this is exactly what this book brings. The author really nailed the comic characters, with the "Society" of middle-aged ladies and the butler. The romance was ok, but I believe it was weighed down by the behaviour of the male protagonist. Instead of a dashing aristocrat at the service of the Queen, he comes out as rather incompetent, unjustifiably paranoid and blind to what is right under his nose. But then again, I suppose love blinds us all and, if he had been a bit smarter, there wouldn't have been enough conflict to last the whole book. His lack of ability also affects the supposed plot against the crown, which is a bit absurd and, in the end, without much substance. In consequence, a 4-star rating seems a bit generous. But, despite it all, this regency was worth my time, it kept me entertained and I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series to see how the other ladies in the society fare with their protégés. So 4 stars it is.
October 4, 2022
A Fun and Addictive Read
This is the first of the series and I love the concept of a group of matrons who are so sad about not having daughters that they start a Society to launch some destitute debutantes into the Ton. Georgiana is quite the intrepid heroine, coming from a country estate and not really having much of a proper upbringing. Jasper works for the Queen, and his mother is the first to have a lady to sponsor. The book is light and very clean, closed door romance, which, given the plot, was not something I minded at all. They matrons can be quite silly but also forthright in their affection, and the attraction between Jasper and Georgiana was convincing.
What I didn't love was how easy it was to suspect who was a danger to the King and Lord Langley was so oblivious. It was borderline frustrating since he is supposed to be protecting the Queen... In any case, it was fun and I can't wait to see more of what's to come!
Steam: 🔥
Heart Flutters: ❤️❤️
This is the first of the series and I love the concept of a group of matrons who are so sad about not having daughters that they start a Society to launch some destitute debutantes into the Ton. Georgiana is quite the intrepid heroine, coming from a country estate and not really having much of a proper upbringing. Jasper works for the Queen, and his mother is the first to have a lady to sponsor. The book is light and very clean, closed door romance, which, given the plot, was not something I minded at all. They matrons can be quite silly but also forthright in their affection, and the attraction between Jasper and Georgiana was convincing.
What I didn't love was how easy it was to suspect who was a danger to the King and Lord Langley was so oblivious. It was borderline frustrating since he is supposed to be protecting the Queen... In any case, it was fun and I can't wait to see more of what's to come!
Steam: 🔥
Heart Flutters: ❤️❤️
March 30, 2026
Six women of a certain age have reached the age where they can look back at their lives and regret one thing: none of these matrons had a daughter. Since they are wealthy and well-connected, they form a group to help eligible girls in need. They form the Society of Sponsoring Ladies. Miss Georgiana Wilcox, eldest daughter of the sixteenth Baron of Manley, is their first girl in need.
Her family's finances have been dropping for generations. She is not aware that she's been allowed to do as she likes because there is no money for tutors or governesses. She has no talents to speak of, and she rides astride because they couldn't afford to buy a sidesaddle. However, the Countess of Mendleton decides to take an interest in her future and brings her to London.
Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley and heir to the Earl of Mendleton, works for Queen Charlotte. Jasper and the Queen are trying to find out who is talking to the newspapers about the King's madness and escapades. Before long, they find out that Charles Stuart has left Russia and may be on his way to England to stir up trouble for the Crown. Charles seems poised to take advantage of the king's illness and seize the throne. Before long, Jasper is afraid Miss Wilcox is part of the plot.
The author's strong sense of humor is not as apparent in this story, though it remains light-hearted.
Series of Worthy Young Ladies
** 1. The Meddler (2022)
2. The Sprinter (2022)
3. The Undaunted (2022)
4. The Champion (2022)
5. The Jilter (2022)
6. The Regal (2022)
Her family's finances have been dropping for generations. She is not aware that she's been allowed to do as she likes because there is no money for tutors or governesses. She has no talents to speak of, and she rides astride because they couldn't afford to buy a sidesaddle. However, the Countess of Mendleton decides to take an interest in her future and brings her to London.
Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley and heir to the Earl of Mendleton, works for Queen Charlotte. Jasper and the Queen are trying to find out who is talking to the newspapers about the King's madness and escapades. Before long, they find out that Charles Stuart has left Russia and may be on his way to England to stir up trouble for the Crown. Charles seems poised to take advantage of the king's illness and seize the throne. Before long, Jasper is afraid Miss Wilcox is part of the plot.
The author's strong sense of humor is not as apparent in this story, though it remains light-hearted.
Series of Worthy Young Ladies
** 1. The Meddler (2022)
2. The Sprinter (2022)
3. The Undaunted (2022)
4. The Champion (2022)
5. The Jilter (2022)
6. The Regal (2022)
April 10, 2022
A very silly book about two nice people caught in a misunderstanding. I do not think Archer is that good at villainy, and wish she would not provide us sections from the villain's POV - though at least there is only one or two of those here. The book is otherwise so gentle that it doesn't make sense when it detours as it does (although, the villain is himself very silly!).
Georgie and Jasper resonate with each other in a companionable way, and I think the book does a good job of conveying the very simple desire to spend more time with someone. Jasper spends a lot of time jumping to conclusions, which is, I suppose, a reminder that most spies are pretty bad at their job and everyone is subject to motivated reasoning. (Even Stephan Maturin makes mistakes, you know?) I wish the set-up were more organic, but if you can lean into the jumps, I think they provide their own sort of enjoyment.
Archer's last series alternated between exceptional couples and rather ordinary ones, in a way I found very engaging, and I look forward to the same variety in this series. There's a great deal of humor and charm, although I would say the books are maybe not very witty. IDK exactly what the distinction I'm trying to draw might be, but it's the sort of book that, however silly people may get, it doesn't have any real interest in taking them down a peg.
Georgie and Jasper resonate with each other in a companionable way, and I think the book does a good job of conveying the very simple desire to spend more time with someone. Jasper spends a lot of time jumping to conclusions, which is, I suppose, a reminder that most spies are pretty bad at their job and everyone is subject to motivated reasoning. (Even Stephan Maturin makes mistakes, you know?) I wish the set-up were more organic, but if you can lean into the jumps, I think they provide their own sort of enjoyment.
Archer's last series alternated between exceptional couples and rather ordinary ones, in a way I found very engaging, and I look forward to the same variety in this series. There's a great deal of humor and charm, although I would say the books are maybe not very witty. IDK exactly what the distinction I'm trying to draw might be, but it's the sort of book that, however silly people may get, it doesn't have any real interest in taking them down a peg.
February 5, 2022
4.5*
At times comedic this was a light and fluffy read. Whilst to the reader the imposter was easily realised, everyone else seemed clueless particularly so the Hero. Having said that I did find the story enjoyable. It was of course inevitable that the matrons imaginings of their ideal daughter is unlikely to be realised by reality and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
At times comedic this was a light and fluffy read. Whilst to the reader the imposter was easily realised, everyone else seemed clueless particularly so the Hero. Having said that I did find the story enjoyable. It was of course inevitable that the matrons imaginings of their ideal daughter is unlikely to be realised by reality and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 16, 2022
Great
This would have been awarded five stars but for the complete incompetence of Jasper who otherwise is an attractive character.
Everything was going swimmingly until the final quarter when, without any investigation or concrete evidence, Jasper decides just exactly who is the ‘spy’ and goes haring off to deal with the situation.
Georgiana is a fabulous character. I adore the fact that she has none of the expected accomplishments but is kind, clever, and circumspect.
Highly recommended 👍🏻
This would have been awarded five stars but for the complete incompetence of Jasper who otherwise is an attractive character.
Everything was going swimmingly until the final quarter when, without any investigation or concrete evidence, Jasper decides just exactly who is the ‘spy’ and goes haring off to deal with the situation.
Georgiana is a fabulous character. I adore the fact that she has none of the expected accomplishments but is kind, clever, and circumspect.
Highly recommended 👍🏻
May 8, 2022
Is she , or is she not!
Great story, wonderful story line, wonderful characters,full of humor,and , secrets,and spy,s, Georgina,is a country miss, rough around the edges,she knows horses , except for side saddles, better than anything, thanks to her father. Jasper is the Queen,s favorite nobleman, and due to certain events,he believes Georgina is a spy.BUT!!! IS SHE?
Thank you ❤️
Great story, wonderful story line, wonderful characters,full of humor,and , secrets,and spy,s, Georgina,is a country miss, rough around the edges,she knows horses , except for side saddles, better than anything, thanks to her father. Jasper is the Queen,s favorite nobleman, and due to certain events,he believes Georgina is a spy.BUT!!! IS SHE?
Thank you ❤️
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