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London Friends #1
Indiscreet
Sophie Winstead: A spirited beauty with a mezmerizing figure and a perfect pout, Sophie Winstead had been well schooled in the art of dazzling gentlemen. Now with the London season just beginning, Sophie is determined to become a Lady--even if it means forgoing love to marry for wealth alone. If only her straight-laced sponsor would give her his approval-and stop weakening her resolve with his startlingly blue eyes.
Bramwell Seaton: The picture of propriety, he swore he could control the passionate appetites that were his late father's downfall. But from the moment Bramwell takes charge of the incorrigible yet irresistible Sophie Winstead, he is driven to mad distraction. Suddenly he and his lovely ward are waltzing ever closer toward scandal, and Bramwell must resist her charms to preserve their reputations--and his heart.
Bramwell Seaton: The picture of propriety, he swore he could control the passionate appetites that were his late father's downfall. But from the moment Bramwell takes charge of the incorrigible yet irresistible Sophie Winstead, he is driven to mad distraction. Suddenly he and his lovely ward are waltzing ever closer toward scandal, and Bramwell must resist her charms to preserve their reputations--and his heart.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
102 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Kasey Michaels
307 books541 followersKasey Michaels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books (she doesn't count them). Kasey has received three coveted Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, two for the historical romances, THE SECRETS OF THE HEART and THE BUTLER DID IT, and a third for contemporary romance LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY (that shows diversity, you see). She is a recipient of the RITA, a Waldenbooks and Bookrak Bestseller award, and many awards from Romantic Times magazine, including a Career Achievement award for her Regency era historical romances. She is an Honor Roll author in Romance Writers of America, Inc. (RWA)
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 28, 2024
2.5*
The fmc is so annoying!
As is the farcical, frivolous and the forcedly funny tone the book takes with things that would not only be frowned upon but definitely be ruthlessly stamped out. The amount of innuendoes and openly improper phrases that are bandied about in 'polite' society leaves one unsettled. I want my HRs to follow some rules (at least publicly) even if we are dealing with a 'mistress' and her daughter.
The book opens with a prologue where we have the h's mother, an infamous widow and the H's father, the former duke as lovers - who end up dying quite spectacularly and yes, ignominiously in a what becomes famous as the 'Balcony' episode.
Three years later, the H, now the present duke thinks he has managed to squash out much of the scandal and the blot on the family name with his rigorously and rigidly sanctimonious behavior. Meaning turning himself into the epitome of decorum and decency - read becoming a stuffed shirt who is now engaged to a suitably frosted future duchess. We also learn that he never got the chance to be close to his socializing parents/father and resents and scorns the man for his scandals and improprieties.
What he doesn't know is that a blast from the past will jeopardize all his hard work soon enough.
The 18 yo h and her former nanny cum maid (another former courtesan) forge papers to convince the H that his father promised a coming out and a season to the h. This nanny cum maid is a supposed opposite of her soft-hearted courtesan mother and has taught the h how to keep men/people happy with flirting and facile flattering, while keeping her heart protected.
So both the mcs have protective facades if you will.
And btw, the author tries to tell us that the h's mother was a lively (one time respectable) widow who took several (as in many, many) lovers (serially, yes), fell in love with all of them ,and was heartbroken every time she was put aside by them.
The author avoids the term courtesan but the reader can tell that's what she was. The h is comfortable with her very healthy dowry that's courtesy the largesse of all these 'uncles' - “Money, land, trinkets. But all of it given freely”.
This gives such self-satisfied and crafty vibes.
And so taking advantage of the H's honor, they invade his home and life.
Like self entitled leeches I'd say.
That is what's most maddening. The h is not only smug, deceitful and manipulative, but then dares to scorn and mock the H, slyly and openly. The same man who's not at all obliged to host and more for you, when your presence will only be bringing back public censure and ridicule.
Also, her off-putting coquettish ways and words are way beyond her years, and we are to believe that while this is all self-protective armor, she's still really actually quite innocent in the ways of men and women!
“a woman who had the body of a courtesan, the face of an angel, the deviousness of a court intriguer, and the most infuriating, chameleon-like way of making everyone she met believe that she was precisely who they needed her to be?”
“Some problems her grins and shrugs and agile tongue couldn’t make go away.”
The h's character does evolve as her mask shows some cracks (like when she learns the truth about her mother's and dear uncle Cesse's deaths) and I could sympathize with her vulnerable, more human side. I think the whole problem is that that she's shown as too smug and superior, purporting to have all the answers, and really demeaning others by slyly playing to their (emotional) weaknesses and needs.
It did not come across as true empathy, but cunning. Not how I like my hs. (Or my Hs.)
The fmc is so annoying!
As is the farcical, frivolous and the forcedly funny tone the book takes with things that would not only be frowned upon but definitely be ruthlessly stamped out. The amount of innuendoes and openly improper phrases that are bandied about in 'polite' society leaves one unsettled. I want my HRs to follow some rules (at least publicly) even if we are dealing with a 'mistress' and her daughter.
The book opens with a prologue where we have the h's mother, an infamous widow and the H's father, the former duke as lovers - who end up dying quite spectacularly and yes, ignominiously in a what becomes famous as the 'Balcony' episode.
Three years later, the H, now the present duke thinks he has managed to squash out much of the scandal and the blot on the family name with his rigorously and rigidly sanctimonious behavior. Meaning turning himself into the epitome of decorum and decency - read becoming a stuffed shirt who is now engaged to a suitably frosted future duchess. We also learn that he never got the chance to be close to his socializing parents/father and resents and scorns the man for his scandals and improprieties.
What he doesn't know is that a blast from the past will jeopardize all his hard work soon enough.
The 18 yo h and her former nanny cum maid (another former courtesan) forge papers to convince the H that his father promised a coming out and a season to the h. This nanny cum maid is a supposed opposite of her soft-hearted courtesan mother and has taught the h how to keep men/people happy with flirting and facile flattering, while keeping her heart protected.
So both the mcs have protective facades if you will.
And btw, the author tries to tell us that the h's mother was a lively (one time respectable) widow who took several (as in many, many) lovers (serially, yes), fell in love with all of them ,and was heartbroken every time she was put aside by them.
The author avoids the term courtesan but the reader can tell that's what she was. The h is comfortable with her very healthy dowry that's courtesy the largesse of all these 'uncles' - “Money, land, trinkets. But all of it given freely”.
This gives such self-satisfied and crafty vibes.
And so taking advantage of the H's honor, they invade his home and life.
Like self entitled leeches I'd say.
That is what's most maddening. The h is not only smug, deceitful and manipulative, but then dares to scorn and mock the H, slyly and openly. The same man who's not at all obliged to host and more for you, when your presence will only be bringing back public censure and ridicule.
Also, her off-putting coquettish ways and words are way beyond her years, and we are to believe that while this is all self-protective armor, she's still really actually quite innocent in the ways of men and women!
“a woman who had the body of a courtesan, the face of an angel, the deviousness of a court intriguer, and the most infuriating, chameleon-like way of making everyone she met believe that she was precisely who they needed her to be?”
“Some problems her grins and shrugs and agile tongue couldn’t make go away.”
The h's character does evolve as her mask shows some cracks (like when she learns the truth about her mother's and dear uncle Cesse's deaths) and I could sympathize with her vulnerable, more human side. I think the whole problem is that that she's shown as too smug and superior, purporting to have all the answers, and really demeaning others by slyly playing to their (emotional) weaknesses and needs.
It did not come across as true empathy, but cunning. Not how I like my hs. (Or my Hs.)
December 22, 2017
The first two thirds of this story was fabulous but then things got a little serious and mellow; that sort of almost killed the buzz from the first part. But overall, this was laugh out loud funny. There were some great main characters, an eccentric kleptomaniac old lady, an OW who was so frigid that her vagina is probably a freezer filled with dry sawdust, a delightfully wicked lady's maid, a talkative parrot and a mischievous monkey. All that was missing was a cute dog.
The entire prologue had me laughing even though it featured only the H's dad and the heroine's mom. The H's married dad and the heroine's mom were lovers and had been blazing a scandalous trail throughout the country wherever they went. In the prologue, the H's parents are invited to a house party with some friends and the dad has started to miss Constance ( his mistress and the heroine's mother ) who hasn't been invited because she's not seen as acceptable company. Constance Winstead comes from an aristocratic background and was married once to a nobleman who was Sophie's father. However, it is her rather promiscuous lifestyle during the era of her merry widowhood that makes her so infamous. She's managed to have been the mistress of a variety of rich and powerful men. Her life as a "professional mistress" has also made her very wealthy. The H's dad is her newest guy.
In the prologue, the H's dad has managed to create some sort of swing/pulley rope thingy that he ties to the balcony of his bedroom and uses to pull Constance all the way up. That was a ridiculously hysterical scene for this reader. I couldn't stop laughing at the way Cecil ( or Cessy as she calls him ) huffs and puffs because he is nearing 60 and trying to use a rope to pull this woman all the way up to the second floor. When she does reach the balcony they fall onto the bed and she is slobbering him with kisses and grabbing his penis while he keeps gasping for breath. Then Constance suggests they have sex out on the balcony. Apparently they've got a fetish for fornicating in forbidden places. She's sitting on the narrow rails of the balcony stark naked while Cessy moves between her legs to have sex. Then in the middle of their rigorous copulation, his valet opens the door abruptly causing it to hit Cessy and push him against Constance. They both topple off the balcony, stark naked, and fall to their deaths. This leads to a huge scandal of course.
Then the novel moves forward 3 years into the future ( or present as is the case ) and the hero whose name is Bramwell ( and yes he is as stuffy and filled with self importance as his name suggests ) is a bit angry that his father's will forces him to be a sort of patron for Constance's daughter's first London season. This is so that Sophie will be able to find a titled and respectable husband. The H's aunt Gwen ( who is a habitual kleptomaniac that loves to "borrow" shiny trinkets and other people's collectibles ) is horrified because she hated Constance and vows to hate Sophie too. Bram is very stuffy and ultra conservative because he feels he must live a life that's the total opposite of his father's. He's even got himself engaged to the most prudish, prim, self important, and frigid lady who loves the sound of her own voice. She's the most boring annoying OW ever. All she ever does is talk down to Sophie and try to show her how much better she is than every other woman in the world. I really wondered how the H would ever hope to have kids with Isadora because the woman doesn't even let him kiss her. She makes cold fish seem sexy but Bram thinks she's ideal duchess material because she hates scandal of any kind and her image is the most important thing in her narrow little world.
Bram is stupefied with lust when he sees Sophie for the first time. It was so funny. He felt as if his brain had turned to jelly and had thoughts about spending a lifetime kissing the cute little mole on her cheek. His insta-lust is so profound that he is dumbfounded for a couple minutes and it is Sophie who is the first to speak. Sophie was great ! She was a fascinating heroine. She knows nothing about sexual intercourse but knows everything about flirting with men and "dazzling" them. Her mother and her maid had both taught her all the various ways to flirt with men by using subtle body language, facial expressions, and even laughter etc to "dazzle" men. And that's exactly what she does to the hero. Before he knows it, he's caught up in her web and has to force himself to remember that she's the enemy's daughter. Sophie is also a sad young lady because her mother's lifestyle and the things she read in her mother's diaries have made her very cynical about men. All she wants to do is to marry a rich old titled man who will give her a baby ( hopefully ) and then die quickly of natural causes, leaving her free to live peacefully and man free with her child. There were many moments where the latent sadness within Sophie came to the fore, even though she tried to hide it by "dazzling" everyone and being charming.
Sophie manages to win everyone around to her side eventually - even the frigid Isadora develops a sort of impasse/peaceful co-existence with Sophie. This happens because Sophie manages to give everyone what they want. Her funny advice to one of Bram's male friends worked wonders for that guy's personal life and she even becomes best friends with the klepto aunt Gwen. Soon aunt Gwen is dressing up in fashionable clothing and enjoying life as if she were a young debutante. It was great to see how much joy Sophie brought to these people's lives. Aunt Gwen even ends up with an elderly gentleman suitor who might end up proposing marriage to the dear old lady ! Sophie even enables Isadora to discover that she would be happier being married to a middle aged widower with 6 kids, instead of to Bram ! I think it's more that Isadora is frigid and probably finds an older husband who already has kids to be an easier task when compared to a young man like Bram who might possibly have inherited his dad's lustful tendencies.
There are lots of funny happenings in this novel. Sometimes the funny stuff borders on slapstick comedy and sometimes that does detract from the actual romance between Bram and Sophie. But I loved seeing how Bram grew to care for Sophie. In fact, the closer it got to him setting a date for his wedding, the more miserable he became. He also couldn't stop himself from lusting after Sophie and both fought hard to deny their feelings for each other. Sophie couldn't bear to think of him wasting himself on such a bore as Isadora and he didn't want Sophie to marry any of the older gentlemen that Isadora had suggested as husband candidates. There's also another story line that's linked to Constance's diaries and all the ex lovers whose secrets are revealed. Things almost turn out badly because one of Sophie's former "uncles" wants to kill her to keep those secrets buried. It was up to Bram and his friends to save Sophie from that particular villain and they even had to banish the poor parrot to the house in the country, because the bird kept repeating some of the villain's secrets too.
Towards the end it was revealed that Sophie knew nothing about the circumstances surrounding her mother's death. The French maid had kept it a secret by lying and saying that Constance and Cecil had died in a carriage accident. When Sophie discovered the truth, she was shattered because she finally knew why a lot of people would giggle at her behind their hands at parties. It was Bram whose kindness and love helped her during this period. I enjoyed seeing Bram come to realize that Sophie was his one true love but I wished the author had spent more time on this aspect and a little less on the other parts of the novel. At the end of the story Bram has changed for the better. He is not so stuffy and he marries Sophie plus he is willing to engage in sex on their balcony ! ( not on the actual balcony railings but on the balcony's floor, but that's a huge improvement for this guy who had previously vowed never to do anything that would be so demeaning to his ducal dignity ).
Sophie was the star of this novel. She truly "dazzled" everyone she met and made each person's life better after they became her friend. She turned a cold boring household into a warm home filled with laughter and love and her pets were fantastic too. And I loved the advice she gave to everyone ! For a girl that young and innocent, she was very wise too. Bram was lucky that she glided into his life in her slinky gowns with ( as he often fantasized ) her sultry smile, her brown curly hair, her cute little butt and her tempting cleavage. She was his own little pocket Venus. This was a definite winner in my humble opinion. If the hijinks and craziness had been reduced and the romance factor upped slightly, then it would have received a full 5 stars. It was nice to read a novel with a strong heroine who was in touch with her feminine power without resorting to sluttiness. Plus she could run rings around all the other characters with her subtle manipulative skills. And I did enjoy seeing Bram's staid stuffiness melt away as time progressed. He was a hot guy who didn't truly appreciate just how sexy he could be, but once Sophie got her hands on him, he certainly warmed up ! Best of all: his penis gets saved from the possible injury of entering Isadora's sawdust filled freezer vagina and he never has to hear her overuse of the word "lud" every time she opens her mouth.
The entire prologue had me laughing even though it featured only the H's dad and the heroine's mom. The H's married dad and the heroine's mom were lovers and had been blazing a scandalous trail throughout the country wherever they went. In the prologue, the H's parents are invited to a house party with some friends and the dad has started to miss Constance ( his mistress and the heroine's mother ) who hasn't been invited because she's not seen as acceptable company. Constance Winstead comes from an aristocratic background and was married once to a nobleman who was Sophie's father. However, it is her rather promiscuous lifestyle during the era of her merry widowhood that makes her so infamous. She's managed to have been the mistress of a variety of rich and powerful men. Her life as a "professional mistress" has also made her very wealthy. The H's dad is her newest guy.
In the prologue, the H's dad has managed to create some sort of swing/pulley rope thingy that he ties to the balcony of his bedroom and uses to pull Constance all the way up. That was a ridiculously hysterical scene for this reader. I couldn't stop laughing at the way Cecil ( or Cessy as she calls him ) huffs and puffs because he is nearing 60 and trying to use a rope to pull this woman all the way up to the second floor. When she does reach the balcony they fall onto the bed and she is slobbering him with kisses and grabbing his penis while he keeps gasping for breath. Then Constance suggests they have sex out on the balcony. Apparently they've got a fetish for fornicating in forbidden places. She's sitting on the narrow rails of the balcony stark naked while Cessy moves between her legs to have sex. Then in the middle of their rigorous copulation, his valet opens the door abruptly causing it to hit Cessy and push him against Constance. They both topple off the balcony, stark naked, and fall to their deaths. This leads to a huge scandal of course.
Then the novel moves forward 3 years into the future ( or present as is the case ) and the hero whose name is Bramwell ( and yes he is as stuffy and filled with self importance as his name suggests ) is a bit angry that his father's will forces him to be a sort of patron for Constance's daughter's first London season. This is so that Sophie will be able to find a titled and respectable husband. The H's aunt Gwen ( who is a habitual kleptomaniac that loves to "borrow" shiny trinkets and other people's collectibles ) is horrified because she hated Constance and vows to hate Sophie too. Bram is very stuffy and ultra conservative because he feels he must live a life that's the total opposite of his father's. He's even got himself engaged to the most prudish, prim, self important, and frigid lady who loves the sound of her own voice. She's the most boring annoying OW ever. All she ever does is talk down to Sophie and try to show her how much better she is than every other woman in the world. I really wondered how the H would ever hope to have kids with Isadora because the woman doesn't even let him kiss her. She makes cold fish seem sexy but Bram thinks she's ideal duchess material because she hates scandal of any kind and her image is the most important thing in her narrow little world.
Bram is stupefied with lust when he sees Sophie for the first time. It was so funny. He felt as if his brain had turned to jelly and had thoughts about spending a lifetime kissing the cute little mole on her cheek. His insta-lust is so profound that he is dumbfounded for a couple minutes and it is Sophie who is the first to speak. Sophie was great ! She was a fascinating heroine. She knows nothing about sexual intercourse but knows everything about flirting with men and "dazzling" them. Her mother and her maid had both taught her all the various ways to flirt with men by using subtle body language, facial expressions, and even laughter etc to "dazzle" men. And that's exactly what she does to the hero. Before he knows it, he's caught up in her web and has to force himself to remember that she's the enemy's daughter. Sophie is also a sad young lady because her mother's lifestyle and the things she read in her mother's diaries have made her very cynical about men. All she wants to do is to marry a rich old titled man who will give her a baby ( hopefully ) and then die quickly of natural causes, leaving her free to live peacefully and man free with her child. There were many moments where the latent sadness within Sophie came to the fore, even though she tried to hide it by "dazzling" everyone and being charming.
Sophie manages to win everyone around to her side eventually - even the frigid Isadora develops a sort of impasse/peaceful co-existence with Sophie. This happens because Sophie manages to give everyone what they want. Her funny advice to one of Bram's male friends worked wonders for that guy's personal life and she even becomes best friends with the klepto aunt Gwen. Soon aunt Gwen is dressing up in fashionable clothing and enjoying life as if she were a young debutante. It was great to see how much joy Sophie brought to these people's lives. Aunt Gwen even ends up with an elderly gentleman suitor who might end up proposing marriage to the dear old lady ! Sophie even enables Isadora to discover that she would be happier being married to a middle aged widower with 6 kids, instead of to Bram ! I think it's more that Isadora is frigid and probably finds an older husband who already has kids to be an easier task when compared to a young man like Bram who might possibly have inherited his dad's lustful tendencies.
There are lots of funny happenings in this novel. Sometimes the funny stuff borders on slapstick comedy and sometimes that does detract from the actual romance between Bram and Sophie. But I loved seeing how Bram grew to care for Sophie. In fact, the closer it got to him setting a date for his wedding, the more miserable he became. He also couldn't stop himself from lusting after Sophie and both fought hard to deny their feelings for each other. Sophie couldn't bear to think of him wasting himself on such a bore as Isadora and he didn't want Sophie to marry any of the older gentlemen that Isadora had suggested as husband candidates. There's also another story line that's linked to Constance's diaries and all the ex lovers whose secrets are revealed. Things almost turn out badly because one of Sophie's former "uncles" wants to kill her to keep those secrets buried. It was up to Bram and his friends to save Sophie from that particular villain and they even had to banish the poor parrot to the house in the country, because the bird kept repeating some of the villain's secrets too.
Towards the end it was revealed that Sophie knew nothing about the circumstances surrounding her mother's death. The French maid had kept it a secret by lying and saying that Constance and Cecil had died in a carriage accident. When Sophie discovered the truth, she was shattered because she finally knew why a lot of people would giggle at her behind their hands at parties. It was Bram whose kindness and love helped her during this period. I enjoyed seeing Bram come to realize that Sophie was his one true love but I wished the author had spent more time on this aspect and a little less on the other parts of the novel. At the end of the story Bram has changed for the better. He is not so stuffy and he marries Sophie plus he is willing to engage in sex on their balcony ! ( not on the actual balcony railings but on the balcony's floor, but that's a huge improvement for this guy who had previously vowed never to do anything that would be so demeaning to his ducal dignity ).
Sophie was the star of this novel. She truly "dazzled" everyone she met and made each person's life better after they became her friend. She turned a cold boring household into a warm home filled with laughter and love and her pets were fantastic too. And I loved the advice she gave to everyone ! For a girl that young and innocent, she was very wise too. Bram was lucky that she glided into his life in her slinky gowns with ( as he often fantasized ) her sultry smile, her brown curly hair, her cute little butt and her tempting cleavage. She was his own little pocket Venus. This was a definite winner in my humble opinion. If the hijinks and craziness had been reduced and the romance factor upped slightly, then it would have received a full 5 stars. It was nice to read a novel with a strong heroine who was in touch with her feminine power without resorting to sluttiness. Plus she could run rings around all the other characters with her subtle manipulative skills. And I did enjoy seeing Bram's staid stuffiness melt away as time progressed. He was a hot guy who didn't truly appreciate just how sexy he could be, but once Sophie got her hands on him, he certainly warmed up ! Best of all: his penis gets saved from the possible injury of entering Isadora's sawdust filled freezer vagina and he never has to hear her overuse of the word "lud" every time she opens her mouth.
September 7, 2019
Read in audio format. This delightful story shows Kasey Michaels at her best with the flavor of a traditional Regency, but a bit of spice (no sexual content). The narrator was fabulous (Richard Turner). His soothing voice and perfect diction were exactly what was needed for this aristocratic story. A lot of books talk about scandal, but this one really had a major scandal -- committed by the father of the hero and the mother of the heroine. So the story centered around the effects of that scandal on the next generation. Bramwell, our hero, went through a tough journey of self-discovery and became the better for it.
I just love Kasey Michaels' style. It is witting and charming. Her stories always have an intricacy that keeps readers on their toes. I chuckled out loud many times in this terrific story. Great book and maybe an even better audiobook!
Audiobook was provided by the author for an honest review.
I just love Kasey Michaels' style. It is witting and charming. Her stories always have an intricacy that keeps readers on their toes. I chuckled out loud many times in this terrific story. Great book and maybe an even better audiobook!
Audiobook was provided by the author for an honest review.
April 30, 2016
++Spoilers+
I liked this one more than I expected. It is unfortunate that at about 70% the story seemed to lose it's way.
The very beginning was a little confusing. It starts off with an older couple who are sneaking in a trysy at a ball. The woman, was not invited due to her reputation, so her lover had hauled her in through a window of a guest bedroom via a rope of sorts. Anyway, this couple decided to make a go of it on the very narrow balcony, and sadly fell to their deaths, naked and intwined when a valet accidently opened the doors of the balcony and sent them flying off. These two lovers were the father of the story's hero and the mother of the heroine.
The next chapter begins 3 years later. Hero Bram, a duke is a bit of a stick in the mud. He has been living his life in a very orderly fashin, avoiding anything adventurous, or daring, so as not to become like his father who's death left his family in scandal. The heroine, Sophie, a young french woman and daughter of the hero's father's mistress (who fell to her death) has arrived in London with her french maid, and deaf guardian for her first season..sponsored by Bram. Bram is obligated to give Sophie her first season due to a legal document made by his late father to do so.
Bram is betrothed to a very stuffy proper and well organized woman who would make an excellent dutchess. But when Sophie arrives in all her beauty and sensuality, Bram struggles with himself, and his fear of becoming like his father.
I really liked Sophies character. She was raised to "dazzle" people and to never trust men. She does not believe in love between a man and a woman. She was constanly told men don't love, they are incapable. There is only lust and desire. Love does not exist. Men only use and discard. Therefore Sopie has aquired through much work, the ability to turn the tables on men.. so to speak. She is very witty, clever, sly.. a master of her emotions, of her facial expressions and body language.
Bram is a stick in the mud for the most part. He is an honorable guy. Nevr discusses past women, or brags about past sexual exploits. He is very proper to his betroth and his betrotheds is very proper as well. Their relationship is dull and never crosses the line of impropriety.
Bram & Sophie are quite interesting. Both are pretending to be something they are not, and both are also bringing out the real person in each other. Very slowly.
We have a nice slow natural relationship, no insta love. Well Bram has some insta lust, but the controlling stick tamps it down. There is some humor, a kleptomaniac aunt, a deaf guardian, amonkey, a parrot, an aging french maid/former courtesan, and a hypochondriac cousin. All this makes for an interesting story.
So why only 3 stars?
The story started out really good, but then peetered off about 70% in. I became bored after the ILY's were said. There was an "adventure" to Sidmouths townhouse which could have either have been eliminated or spruced up.
The whole issue with the journals could have been put to better use as well.
The romance build was so slow, but the transition into love was sudden and abrupt.
I got a little more than irritated with the monkey and parrot thing, it became silly and juvenile.
There were some minor typos, more than usual but not terrible.
I was most annoyed with the heroine's ending every sentence with either "yes" or "oui'"
I was disappointed that at 81% when the H & h finally make love, that it wasn't described, only cut to them afterwards. What a gyp! Then, as if an editor told the author to spice it up, there was some sensual love scenes, but nothing more than a hair over mild. It was more dissapointing I think because here we have two sexually repressed people who are finally unleashing all their passion.. and we don't get a glimps of it.
The ending was all tidied up too fast.
In short there could have been better conflict, more excitement, more wit. But in the end it fell flat.
Overall, I still enjoyed it and the rating here is quite adequate. 3-3.5 is about right.
I liked this one more than I expected. It is unfortunate that at about 70% the story seemed to lose it's way.
The very beginning was a little confusing. It starts off with an older couple who are sneaking in a trysy at a ball. The woman, was not invited due to her reputation, so her lover had hauled her in through a window of a guest bedroom via a rope of sorts. Anyway, this couple decided to make a go of it on the very narrow balcony, and sadly fell to their deaths, naked and intwined when a valet accidently opened the doors of the balcony and sent them flying off. These two lovers were the father of the story's hero and the mother of the heroine.
The next chapter begins 3 years later. Hero Bram, a duke is a bit of a stick in the mud. He has been living his life in a very orderly fashin, avoiding anything adventurous, or daring, so as not to become like his father who's death left his family in scandal. The heroine, Sophie, a young french woman and daughter of the hero's father's mistress (who fell to her death) has arrived in London with her french maid, and deaf guardian for her first season..sponsored by Bram. Bram is obligated to give Sophie her first season due to a legal document made by his late father to do so.
Bram is betrothed to a very stuffy proper and well organized woman who would make an excellent dutchess. But when Sophie arrives in all her beauty and sensuality, Bram struggles with himself, and his fear of becoming like his father.
I really liked Sophies character. She was raised to "dazzle" people and to never trust men. She does not believe in love between a man and a woman. She was constanly told men don't love, they are incapable. There is only lust and desire. Love does not exist. Men only use and discard. Therefore Sopie has aquired through much work, the ability to turn the tables on men.. so to speak. She is very witty, clever, sly.. a master of her emotions, of her facial expressions and body language.
Bram is a stick in the mud for the most part. He is an honorable guy. Nevr discusses past women, or brags about past sexual exploits. He is very proper to his betroth and his betrotheds is very proper as well. Their relationship is dull and never crosses the line of impropriety.
Bram & Sophie are quite interesting. Both are pretending to be something they are not, and both are also bringing out the real person in each other. Very slowly.
We have a nice slow natural relationship, no insta love. Well Bram has some insta lust, but the controlling stick tamps it down. There is some humor, a kleptomaniac aunt, a deaf guardian, amonkey, a parrot, an aging french maid/former courtesan, and a hypochondriac cousin. All this makes for an interesting story.
So why only 3 stars?
The story started out really good, but then peetered off about 70% in. I became bored after the ILY's were said. There was an "adventure" to Sidmouths townhouse which could have either have been eliminated or spruced up.
The whole issue with the journals could have been put to better use as well.
The romance build was so slow, but the transition into love was sudden and abrupt.
I got a little more than irritated with the monkey and parrot thing, it became silly and juvenile.
There were some minor typos, more than usual but not terrible.
I was most annoyed with the heroine's ending every sentence with either "yes" or "oui'"
I was disappointed that at 81% when the H & h finally make love, that it wasn't described, only cut to them afterwards. What a gyp! Then, as if an editor told the author to spice it up, there was some sensual love scenes, but nothing more than a hair over mild. It was more dissapointing I think because here we have two sexually repressed people who are finally unleashing all their passion.. and we don't get a glimps of it.
The ending was all tidied up too fast.
In short there could have been better conflict, more excitement, more wit. But in the end it fell flat.
Overall, I still enjoyed it and the rating here is quite adequate. 3-3.5 is about right.
June 14, 2013
Starts with a rib tickling chapter that sets the context to the story of Bramwell Seaton, 9th Duke of Selbourne and Sophie Winstead. His father and her widowed mother's prolonged and very public love affair had upset the ton and their spectacular scandalous demise hangs over their progenies future like a dark cloud. Subterfuge by Sophie's ex-courtesan now mentor and maid, lands Sophie a first Season under Bram's care. He's Mr. Sobersides and betrothed to a virtuous woman, and Sophie's vivacious flirtatious presence is a hurdle in his avoidance of scandal efforts. Ably assisted by his two cronies , his Aunt Gwendolyn who has a pilfering habit, butler Bobbit who rakes it in with both hands, and Sophie's felonious monkey, abusive parrot and mother's scandal full journals, the story jumps forward and then meanders through wordy passages. Can true love trump untrusting hearts? Can propriety and popularity mix? Can staid and steady turn into impulsive and adventurous? The story addresses these questions and more in partly humorous and partly boring ways. Ms. Michaels has written much better fare; promise of that lurks amongst the pages of this book.
April 17, 2018
I'd rate this 3.5 stars if I could, but I'll round it up since it was was quite a nice Regency romance--fun and entertaining. A little different from the usual. Bramwell, the Duke of Selbourne, is trying to live down the scandal of his father's life and subsequent death in the arms of his mistress. Bram has become totally sober and serious, and is engaged to a strictly proper woman. But when the daughter of his father's mistress comes to him and asks him to sponsor her season, he realizes that he's been missing out on the fun and humor that used to be present in his life. Sophie is flamboyant, fun, and full of mischief. Although she learned to please men from her mother, while still remaining innocent, she doesn't believe in love or happily ever afters. They fight their attraction for each other. The characters are what makes this book especially fun. They get into unusual and entertaining situations, often because of Sophie's monkey and her talkative parrot. The book actually felt lighter as the problems were solved and their personalities grew more light-hearted. Great writing on Michaels' part to give that impression.
September 7, 2016
All things being equal, I would have called this effort "a solid C". Except for the opening, there's absolutely nothing original in it, but it's well written and there's some good dialogue. The H/h are interesting, and I actually liked them quite a lot. However, once they have sex, the prose escalates beyond purple to ultra violet in its description of the characters' emotions. It was so bad at around 80% I couldn't read any more, so I skimmed ahead to check out the HEA and then quit. I'm not sure if I'll read any more of Kasey Michaels.
June 28, 2024
3.5 STARS - ROUNDED UP
I usually enjoy this author and like the wit she puts in her stories. This one took me forever to get into. I despised the h for the first half of the book. I just couldn't figure her out or her companion. The second half raised my rating.
The prologue is funny and sad at the same time. There is cheating with secondary characters and then with our MC, the H is engaged. During this time period, being betrothed is like being married, so the H cheated in a way too.
Some funny banter, likable characters, lovemaking mildly described, so bedroom door only opened a little. Story ended at the 92% mark on my e-reader, rest teasers for other stories. Incorrect last name used on secondary character; Lord's name used in vain once.
No cliffhanger, cheating, HEA, some romance and a tad of steam. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)
I usually enjoy this author and like the wit she puts in her stories. This one took me forever to get into. I despised the h for the first half of the book. I just couldn't figure her out or her companion. The second half raised my rating.
The prologue is funny and sad at the same time. There is cheating with secondary characters and then with our MC, the H is engaged. During this time period, being betrothed is like being married, so the H cheated in a way too.
Some funny banter, likable characters, lovemaking mildly described, so bedroom door only opened a little. Story ended at the 92% mark on my e-reader, rest teasers for other stories. Incorrect last name used on secondary character; Lord's name used in vain once.
No cliffhanger, cheating, HEA, some romance and a tad of steam. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)
May 22, 2020
Delightful and hilarious! This really was a joy to read and such fun. The prologue is reputed to be one of the funniest in Reg. Rom. but I found the rest of the book much more amusing -- especially the Duke. I was concerned early on that heroine Sophie would be too conniving and manipulative, but before too much had developed, Ms. Michaels lets us in on Sophie's perspective and motivation. After that, cheering her on becomes easy. This truly is a romp. As I sometimes do, I had both the kindle and audio versions. I have to admit that Richard Turner's narration added significantly to the humor and fun of the book. He simply nails each character drawing on a wide arrange of voices all perfectly suited. This really was a find!
April 25, 2018
Full disclosure: I did not finish this book. The heroine is being manipulative on purpose and she knows it and the hero knows it (and sees through it), so you know they're eventually going to break down those walls of why and see each other for who they are. However, I just couldn't get on board - all the simpering & making people like her (even if she and I both know it's deliberate) made me want to puke. Own who you are, woman, and don't rely on man to draw it out of you. (Again, I did not even come close to finishing this so that might not be what happens). It just seemed too forced and I couldn't let go and enjoy the story, so onto the next book!
March 7, 2021
I found this an absolutely delightful romantic romp. The story is a little unusual, due mainly to the odd history between Bram and Sophie. There are a few humorous twists and turns that require a raised eyebrow or a shake of the head. Bram, 9th Duke Selbourne, former soldier and fun-loving man about town, is now quite staid, actually stodgy. Sophie is a contrary ray of bright sunshine. The other characters are each charming in their own way, and that includes a monkey and a parrot. I enjoyed Richard Turner’s narration. He not only has a wide range of voices, but captures the personality and attitude of each character. A lovely story with likeable characters.
March 10, 2021
I loved the original version of this book, so it is no surprise that I love this one, too. It is a wonderful comedy filled with an awful lot of plotting, but who exactly is doing the manipulating? It is impossible to tell until the end! I also enjoyed Richard Turner's performance of the audiobook. He has a lovely way with these characters and the irony flying all around. He kept me laughing while I was on my daily walk. I highly recommend this!
August 16, 2018
Surprisingly fresh and enjoyable read with humor, wit, unexpected twists and well developed characters.
May 19, 2019
Very different characters make this not the normal trope, but this is the first book I have ever written where I really do not want the protagonists to fall in love.
Read
July 29, 2019a wild romp
August 23, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Reminiscent of The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer but uniquely Kasey Michaels.
March 10, 2025
Honestly this is a very generous 3 stars
September 17, 2025
3.5⭐️
The first part was really good, but unfortunately it slowed down toward the end, I almost lost the will to finish.
The first part was really good, but unfortunately it slowed down toward the end, I almost lost the will to finish.
March 14, 2017
While Sophie has spent the past few years since her mother’s death learning how to “dazzle” people from her mama’s journals, Bram was being the best damn stick-in-the-mud he could be in order to regain respectability for his family name. And just when he thinks he’s finally gained some respect back for the title, Sophie shows up on his doorstep armed with a monkey, a parrot, a grouchy maid, and the ability to “dazzle.”
Sophie’s “dazzle” sometimes drove me nuts during this story and her obsession with wanting to make everyone around her happy equally frustrated. The thing that saved her character from reaching Disney princess standards was that she has a temper and isn’t naive. Despite the way she acts in public Sophie doesn’t wear rose tinted glasses about her life. She doesn’t believe in love, because she had to watch her mother weep after every one of her guys left. In turn Sophie doesn’t think too highly of men, but she isn’t a man hater. She likes them, she just doesn’t expect much from them. Sophie’s also probably one of the most sex savvy historical heroines I’ve seen in a while. She’s a virgin, yes, but she’s also read every single one of her mother’s journals which apparently go into detail about what she did with all her guys.
I almost felt bad for Bram in the story, because Sophie has a kind of whirl wind effect. Here he is just trying to be the dullest member of the peerage and she just sweeps into his house with a couple of exotic pets, a man hating maid, and all her “dazzle.” Then within five minutes of their meeting she warns him about her “dazzle” and tells him not to fall in love with her.
Anyway, this story would’ve been incredibly boring if it hadn’t been for how Constance and Bram’s father died, because that part of the plot was the launching pad for pretty much everything that happens. I loved that it was made into the foundation of the story, because Michaels could’ve just used it to throw the characters together then pushed it into the shadows in favor for something else….. You know, at the end of this I was almost wishing that Michaels had a prequel to this story, because I loved Constance and Bram’s father and the stories of some of the odd things they pulled were great.
Sophie’s “dazzle” sometimes drove me nuts during this story and her obsession with wanting to make everyone around her happy equally frustrated. The thing that saved her character from reaching Disney princess standards was that she has a temper and isn’t naive. Despite the way she acts in public Sophie doesn’t wear rose tinted glasses about her life. She doesn’t believe in love, because she had to watch her mother weep after every one of her guys left. In turn Sophie doesn’t think too highly of men, but she isn’t a man hater. She likes them, she just doesn’t expect much from them. Sophie’s also probably one of the most sex savvy historical heroines I’ve seen in a while. She’s a virgin, yes, but she’s also read every single one of her mother’s journals which apparently go into detail about what she did with all her guys.
I almost felt bad for Bram in the story, because Sophie has a kind of whirl wind effect. Here he is just trying to be the dullest member of the peerage and she just sweeps into his house with a couple of exotic pets, a man hating maid, and all her “dazzle.” Then within five minutes of their meeting she warns him about her “dazzle” and tells him not to fall in love with her.
Anyway, this story would’ve been incredibly boring if it hadn’t been for how Constance and Bram’s father died, because that part of the plot was the launching pad for pretty much everything that happens. I loved that it was made into the foundation of the story, because Michaels could’ve just used it to throw the characters together then pushed it into the shadows in favor for something else….. You know, at the end of this I was almost wishing that Michaels had a prequel to this story, because I loved Constance and Bram’s father and the stories of some of the odd things they pulled were great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2014
Historical English romance with a young lady coming out and looking for a rich husband. Everyone needs a special invitation to enter high society in London and Miss Sophie Winstead gets that door opened by the infamous Duke Bramwell Seaton which is a blessing and a curse. Sophie's mother and the previous Duke were infamous scandalous lovers which ended in the most scandalous double death that I have ever read... So great opening chapter which I totally didn't except but does set the scene between the two strangers Bramwell and Sophie without meeting them until later.
There is something about that saying 'Sins of the father...' which is just another way of saying to watch out for the Karma police because it is coming to get you when you least expect it.
So well written that it reminds me of when Lisa Kleypas was writing English historical novels (if you don't know her work, go out right now and read Devil in Winter or any of the Wallflower series!).
So there is humor and some damaged but innocent lovers because Sophie and Bramwell have never been loved, perhaps least of all by their own parents, but that was very typical of the period.
This was a good story about lonely people finding happiness with the help of one sweet caring (some what unscrupulous!) young lady.
404 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
There is something about that saying 'Sins of the father...' which is just another way of saying to watch out for the Karma police because it is coming to get you when you least expect it.
So well written that it reminds me of when Lisa Kleypas was writing English historical novels (if you don't know her work, go out right now and read Devil in Winter or any of the Wallflower series!).
So there is humor and some damaged but innocent lovers because Sophie and Bramwell have never been loved, perhaps least of all by their own parents, but that was very typical of the period.
This was a good story about lonely people finding happiness with the help of one sweet caring (some what unscrupulous!) young lady.
404 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
July 9, 2012
I read the large print hardcover edition of the book, which has a fairly major misprint on the dust jacket. It claimed the heroine as the hero's deceased father's illegitimate daughter, which NO. This is not an incestuous romance. She's the hero's deceased father's deceased mistress's perfectly legitimate daughter from her prior marriage. (The father and the mistress died together in the opening of the book in the most ridiculous manner. I mean, seriously?! That's the absurd love story the author should have written! Middle-aged people in love for the first time frolicking nakedly on balconies? I'd read it to bits if it didn't end tragically.)
The main pair of this book were mentioned in Someone to Love, with the heroine's pet monkey and parrot having caught my interest in that book. Unfortunately, she and her own book didn't live up to my imaginings. (Lesson learned: Don't be fooled by the promise of wacky animal antics.) The heroine's too perfect. When the text keeps outright repeating that she's perfect, perfect, perfect, without irony, I get kind of annoyed with it.
The age differential and the power dynamic just didn't work for me this time either, even though I've had no problem accepting guardians and wards becoming lovers before. The leads lacked depth and I never bought into the buildup of their relationship.
The main pair of this book were mentioned in Someone to Love, with the heroine's pet monkey and parrot having caught my interest in that book. Unfortunately, she and her own book didn't live up to my imaginings. (Lesson learned: Don't be fooled by the promise of wacky animal antics.) The heroine's too perfect. When the text keeps outright repeating that she's perfect, perfect, perfect, without irony, I get kind of annoyed with it.
The age differential and the power dynamic just didn't work for me this time either, even though I've had no problem accepting guardians and wards becoming lovers before. The leads lacked depth and I never bought into the buildup of their relationship.
March 28, 2016
Sophie Winstead's mother, Constance (The Widow) Winstead was mistress to the 8th Duke of Selbourne. They died together, literally, when an inept servant opened the doors to the balcony where they were making love and shoved them to their deaths.
Four years later, Sophie shows up at Bramwell Seaton's, the 9th Duke of Selbourne's house. It seems that his father promised to sponsor Sophie for "a Season" and Bramwell feel obligated to honor his father's promise. Sophie, almost 20, arrives on the scene and promptly "dazzles" everyone she meets. Having been raised by her mother, a serial mistress, and her maid, a former courtesan, Sophie knows all there is about womanly wiles and pleasing people, but is curiously naive about sex and love.
Suffice it to say that Bramwell falls, quite reluctantly, for Sophie. Sophie, on the other hand, is confused by her feelings for Bramwell, as her maid has drummed into her head that all men are shallow and only think with their penises.
It should have been a cute, fun story, based on the initial premise, but I found it borderline tedious. Bramwell is uptight and stuffy (an overreaction to the disgrace the circumstances of his father's death brought to the family name) and while he's attracted to Sophie, I couldn't quite see how he decided he was in love with her. Sophie, while "dazzling," was one-dimensional. Not Kasey Michaels' best work.
Four years later, Sophie shows up at Bramwell Seaton's, the 9th Duke of Selbourne's house. It seems that his father promised to sponsor Sophie for "a Season" and Bramwell feel obligated to honor his father's promise. Sophie, almost 20, arrives on the scene and promptly "dazzles" everyone she meets. Having been raised by her mother, a serial mistress, and her maid, a former courtesan, Sophie knows all there is about womanly wiles and pleasing people, but is curiously naive about sex and love.
Suffice it to say that Bramwell falls, quite reluctantly, for Sophie. Sophie, on the other hand, is confused by her feelings for Bramwell, as her maid has drummed into her head that all men are shallow and only think with their penises.
It should have been a cute, fun story, based on the initial premise, but I found it borderline tedious. Bramwell is uptight and stuffy (an overreaction to the disgrace the circumstances of his father's death brought to the family name) and while he's attracted to Sophie, I couldn't quite see how he decided he was in love with her. Sophie, while "dazzling," was one-dimensional. Not Kasey Michaels' best work.
August 9, 2016
Reminded me somewhat of Georgette Heyer's The Grand Sophie.
Sophie and Bramwell's parents died tragically whilst having an affair AND illicit sex on a balcony at a house party. Each has learnt very different lessons from the experience.
Sophie has learnt never to give her heart to a man - her plan is to marry an elderly, rich nobleman then take a lover.
Bramwell has learnt that sobriety and calm are paramount - he abhors his father's excesses.
But, Bramwell receives a letter explaining that his father had agreed to present Sophie at Court and help her find a husband - he is duty bound to fulfil his father's pledge.
Sophie and Bramwell are attracted to each other but resist, not least because Bramwell is already engaged. Sophie also has her mother's explicit diaries which detail her dalliances with several noblemen - her 'uncles'.
Like the Grand Sophy, her namesake wants everyone to be happy and manoeuvres everyone until they are.
Sophie and Bramwell's parents died tragically whilst having an affair AND illicit sex on a balcony at a house party. Each has learnt very different lessons from the experience.
Sophie has learnt never to give her heart to a man - her plan is to marry an elderly, rich nobleman then take a lover.
Bramwell has learnt that sobriety and calm are paramount - he abhors his father's excesses.
But, Bramwell receives a letter explaining that his father had agreed to present Sophie at Court and help her find a husband - he is duty bound to fulfil his father's pledge.
Sophie and Bramwell are attracted to each other but resist, not least because Bramwell is already engaged. Sophie also has her mother's explicit diaries which detail her dalliances with several noblemen - her 'uncles'.
Like the Grand Sophy, her namesake wants everyone to be happy and manoeuvres everyone until they are.
February 21, 2014
Indiscreet is for people who...
...enjoy a strong-willed lady.
...don't mind when misunderstandings occur.
...like a lady who knows what she wants but is still innocent.
...enjoy friends plotting to help each other out of sticky situations.
...read the prologue and find themselves equal parts horrified and intrigued.
It took me a while to get into this book (blame it on my mood. I do.) but I ended up REALLY enjoying all the twists and turns it took. The secondary characters were marvelous (including the caustic bird and larcenous monkey) and I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of them.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
...enjoy a strong-willed lady.
...don't mind when misunderstandings occur.
...like a lady who knows what she wants but is still innocent.
...enjoy friends plotting to help each other out of sticky situations.
...read the prologue and find themselves equal parts horrified and intrigued.
It took me a while to get into this book (blame it on my mood. I do.) but I ended up REALLY enjoying all the twists and turns it took. The secondary characters were marvelous (including the caustic bird and larcenous monkey) and I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of them.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
December 22, 2010
This was an interesting story a love match between a courtesans daughter and an duke - their parents died together in a rather scandalous way.
The french companion of her mother forged a way for Sophie Winstead to be given a London Season by the Duke. It was to turn the Duke's world upside down - when Sophie came to town with her deaf guardian (who is hired just for this trip), her French maid (or organised it all), a parrot & a monkey.
For me this book did not quite live up to the cover story - I did think it would be more lively. It was still an enjoyable read.
The french companion of her mother forged a way for Sophie Winstead to be given a London Season by the Duke. It was to turn the Duke's world upside down - when Sophie came to town with her deaf guardian (who is hired just for this trip), her French maid (or organised it all), a parrot & a monkey.
For me this book did not quite live up to the cover story - I did think it would be more lively. It was still an enjoyable read.
May 27, 2017
The book blurb is wrong: Sophie is not the illegitimate daughter of Bramwell Seaton's father.
Bramwell Seaton father, the 8th Duke,, died falling off a balcony with his mistress. Bramwell has lived a ridged life to overcome the gossip that went though the ton after that happened.
He is engaged to a very proper woman, when the past, in the form of Sophie Winstead drops into his life and home. Sophie is the daughter of Constance Winstead, the 8th dukes mistress.
Bramwell Seaton father, the 8th Duke,, died falling off a balcony with his mistress. Bramwell has lived a ridged life to overcome the gossip that went though the ton after that happened.
He is engaged to a very proper woman, when the past, in the form of Sophie Winstead drops into his life and home. Sophie is the daughter of Constance Winstead, the 8th dukes mistress.
August 26, 2017
So glad I rediscovered Kasey Michaels. Gonna have a lot of fun going through her backlist while I wait for the next Little Season book.
This one had some excellent banter (my favorite part of a good guardian/ward story) and some top notch secondary characters (I include the animals as secondary characters obviously).
This one had some excellent banter (my favorite part of a good guardian/ward story) and some top notch secondary characters (I include the animals as secondary characters obviously).
January 26, 2016
Refreshing and engaging.
I started out not liking Sophie, but became captivated by her antics as the story unfolded. At times very amusing, this story is not your cookie cutter romance.
I started out not liking Sophie, but became captivated by her antics as the story unfolded. At times very amusing, this story is not your cookie cutter romance.
May 30, 2016
A delightful little romp!
Well written, clever and funny! While I enjoy a good RR, this one was better than average. Colorful characters and plot twists that you couldn't predict set this novel a cut above the rest. Looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
Well written, clever and funny! While I enjoy a good RR, this one was better than average. Colorful characters and plot twists that you couldn't predict set this novel a cut above the rest. Looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
September 17, 2011
Cute, drawn out and wordy when not really needed, but cute.
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