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The Unlikely Angel
In order to win the heart of Tess Thornhill, the daughter of a wealthy merchant who has devoted her life to the orphans of London's slums instead of searching for a husband, the Viscount Sanderfield throws open the gates of his estate to her young charges. Original.
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 15, 2016
This is an absolute gem of a book. A clean regency; note there is a character who is madam but no detail, with a wonderful hero and heroine that make you just want to smile.
"Terrible Tess", the angel of the Stews, is the daughter of a wealthy merchant who was raised with the finest things but has devoted her life to caring for orphaned children in London's east end. When the rent on her self improved tenement is raised shes hies herself off to Mayfair to give her landlord a piece of her mind.
Instead of the typical Brummelesque fancy boy of the ton, she meets a man who has just returned from 7 years abroad and who has a physical handicap. Instead of being outraged he is secretly charmed and after visiting her orphanage he bring to send gifts of food to her charges.
As with any love story there are plenty of bumps and bruises along the way. As the Viscount struggles to become the man he wants to be and Tess learns to trust someone from the ton.
This is short book that I never wanted to end.
"Terrible Tess", the angel of the Stews, is the daughter of a wealthy merchant who was raised with the finest things but has devoted her life to caring for orphaned children in London's east end. When the rent on her self improved tenement is raised shes hies herself off to Mayfair to give her landlord a piece of her mind.
Instead of the typical Brummelesque fancy boy of the ton, she meets a man who has just returned from 7 years abroad and who has a physical handicap. Instead of being outraged he is secretly charmed and after visiting her orphanage he bring to send gifts of food to her charges.
As with any love story there are plenty of bumps and bruises along the way. As the Viscount struggles to become the man he wants to be and Tess learns to trust someone from the ton.
This is short book that I never wanted to end.
May 24, 2021
This is a book about two seemingly opposite people, although after a while we realize that they are very similar under the surface. Tess is the daughter of a wealthy merchant, but she has decided to devote her life to orphans of London's slums. She's always on the lookout for well-to-do noblemen to donate to her cause. When her rent is doubled, she heads straight to her landlord--Viscount Sanderfield. As it turns out, Justin is the new viscount and totally different from the previous one. Justin is shy and bookish and handicapped by a club foot. He has just returned from studying in Greece for several years upon the death of his older brother. He and his grandfather, the Duke, are also estranged because of their totally different personalities. Tess and Justin discover that they are both lonely but compassionate and kind people. They fall in love (of course), but their differences in class make things difficult. Thankfully the people around them are very willing to "help" them along in their romance. Very cute story, a bit of a different setting since most of it took place in the "stews," London's poor section. The characters were both introspective but passionate about their causes. They bring out the best in each other, and I was very glad for their HEA.
April 6, 2025
Disappointing to see a story with an interesting premise not reach its full potential, also annoying b-plot (or c-plot???) that doesn’t go anywhere and wastes time and space involving a Spanish lady who’s a featherbrain.
September 9, 2021
Different subject matter, interesting lead couple
Wanted to award more stars but author had too much going on, reminded me of Marion Chesney. Justin& Tess adorable.
Wanted to award more stars but author had too much going on, reminded me of Marion Chesney. Justin& Tess adorable.
June 25, 2017
The story is pleasant and easy to read, but unfortunately Justin's initial shy, reserved charm was lost and became daring. He's hot being daring, but I wanted a quiet, gentle hero this time. It' also a super clean romance, and she has a terrible taste for dresses. No peppers. Four hearts.
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July 13, 2014
Good enough to keep
Read
August 12, 2017"The Unlikely Angel" by Nadine Miller 1998
Tess Thornhill, was a daughter of a wealthy merchant. Her father disowned her when she moved into the slums to open an orphanage for the abandoned children of the ton. She was known as Terrible Tess Thornhill to all she had ever pried donations out of but to the people living in the slums she was known as "The Angel".
Her landlord had doubled her rent and she wasn't going to stand for it, so she traveled to Mayfair to voice her thoughts on the matter.
She pushed her way into the Viscount Justin Sanderfield's townhouse and upon seeing him, recognized his resemblance to one of her orphans, four year old Daisy.
She found herself accusing him of fathering one of her children-Daisy. She also told him she would now have to close the home because of his exorbitant rent he had demanded which would in effect dispossess innocent children even his own bastard.
Lord Sanderfield's companion, Reggie Lynch, The Earl of Rutledge, who was in the room when Miss Thornhill came in, came to the Viscount's defense. He told her that the Viscount couldn't have fathered the child because His Lordship had been out of the country for the last seven years.
Justin was quite taken with Miss Thornhill and promised to look into the matter stating he would be inspecting the home the next day.
The next day Justin visited the home and found he just had to kiss Miss Thornhill. Tess found herself stirred with passion at his kisses which she never expected to experience ever! She had always vowed never to marry but now with these feelings stirred to life, what was she to do. Also their differences in station stood in their way. How does the future duke's world have a place for Tess and her innocent charges. A saying I remember from the movie "Everafter" came to mind ...."A Bird might love a fish but where would they live?"
Happy Reading!
Tess Thornhill, was a daughter of a wealthy merchant. Her father disowned her when she moved into the slums to open an orphanage for the abandoned children of the ton. She was known as Terrible Tess Thornhill to all she had ever pried donations out of but to the people living in the slums she was known as "The Angel".
Her landlord had doubled her rent and she wasn't going to stand for it, so she traveled to Mayfair to voice her thoughts on the matter.
She pushed her way into the Viscount Justin Sanderfield's townhouse and upon seeing him, recognized his resemblance to one of her orphans, four year old Daisy.
She found herself accusing him of fathering one of her children-Daisy. She also told him she would now have to close the home because of his exorbitant rent he had demanded which would in effect dispossess innocent children even his own bastard.
Lord Sanderfield's companion, Reggie Lynch, The Earl of Rutledge, who was in the room when Miss Thornhill came in, came to the Viscount's defense. He told her that the Viscount couldn't have fathered the child because His Lordship had been out of the country for the last seven years.
Justin was quite taken with Miss Thornhill and promised to look into the matter stating he would be inspecting the home the next day.
The next day Justin visited the home and found he just had to kiss Miss Thornhill. Tess found herself stirred with passion at his kisses which she never expected to experience ever! She had always vowed never to marry but now with these feelings stirred to life, what was she to do. Also their differences in station stood in their way. How does the future duke's world have a place for Tess and her innocent charges. A saying I remember from the movie "Everafter" came to mind ...."A Bird might love a fish but where would they live?"
Happy Reading!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews