The Skeptical Heart

by Teresa DesJardien

Widowed after her brief arranged marriage, Lady Augustine Wayfield turns her interest to promoting romance among the members of the ton, developing a reputation as society's premier matchmaker, until she meets Lord Sumner, out to secure a caring mother for his son

Genres: Regency

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1996

About the author

Teresa DesJardien lives in Seattle. She is married with grown children, and growing grandkids. She’s been a financial and a file clerk, a mommy, a page, a bookseller, a very young and hot grandma, and an author. She has received two Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Nominations and three Regency Rake of the Month Awards.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.20 stars - pg13/mild r-lite (some mention of mistresses & infidelity - shown in negative light & no details)

[From the back cover: Lady Augustine Wayfield, whose rather staid husband had expired soon after their arranged marriage, could have become a merry widow. Instead, she became a merry matchmaker! Augustine simply adored romance, and the ton marveled at her talent for finding the ideal wife for any gentleman...except Lord Sumner. Sumner had most particular specifications: he needed a caring mother for his son and a gracious hostess to adorn his home. There was only one thing the widowed Sumner did not want: love. Rejecting lady after lady, he finally agreed to the one Augustine finally found him: a diamond of the first water---a flawless paragon of womanhood. Who knew she would prove a disaster? As for Augustine, alas, she'd become enchanted by Sumner and his adorable young boy. Now, she alone knew who would be the perfect match for this handsome lord. All she had to do was convince his skeptical heart....]

Notes made while reading:
~~ Up to Ch. 5. Slow getting into this book. Very dry. Maybe I'm just in a mood. Seems like a LOT of set-up for the good (?) story yet to come. So much of the time is spent with author comparing the miseries of the widowed H and h's former marriages. Enough already! We get it. Although what I don't get is why there has been such a complete long-standing rift between them. Surely it can't just be the one thing mentioned?

~~ Up to Ch. 9 (halfway point). Finally starting to get good. More action. More fun banter and interactions between H and h. Hero is a warm, caring father and his little boy is precious. (Although it still sometimes seems like way too much long-winded, self-introspection by heroine.)

~~ Why do women's fingers always tremble so in all these regency romances?? They're always trying to hide their trembling hands within the folds of their gowns, or desperately trying to not rattle their teacups! Where do I find one of these Heroes that will make my fingers tremble?!? (Although at my age if my fingers started trembling, it would probably just be Parkinson's disease!)

~~ I really enjoyed the last half of this book. Fun, sweet, slow-growing romance between mature H and h. Loved the happy (of course!) ending. (So far my favorite book by this author has been The Former Fiance.)

[Madelynn Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I loved it. I've realized I like the reserved but deep love books from this time create. I love the characters, their rich back stories, and how they move towards the future. Will definitely be rereading.

[Catsalive · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far too silly for me, & rather too much un-Regency-like behaviour. There were some enjoyable moments but they were too few to make up for the plodding, unbelievable plot. Disappointing.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, but could've been a bit more detailed. For example, it never says the age of the hero and heroine. Overall, a decent book. I doubt I will read it again in the future though.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regency

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is by far the best book I have read by this author. Almost it makes me want to try more of her books.