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Miss Foster's Folly
Manhattan, 1886Juliet Foster has just become the wealthiest spinster in town. Her domineering and thoroughly unpleasant father has died and left her millions. She's free to be her own woman and seek a life of adventure.David Winslow, Marquess of Derrington, is in search of a wife who can break the Winslow Curse. Every second-generation heir inherits a restless, defiant nature that can only be tamed by a mate as independent and rebellious as himself.Miss Juliet Foster is perfect-and eager for seduction. But when he wants more than a few nights of passion, Juliet runs like the devil's on her heels. Can the marquess convince her that marriage isn't a trap, but the greatest freedom of all?89,000 words
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 26, 2010
Miss Foster's Folly by Alice Gaines is truly a delightful and passionate historical romance! Set in the beginning in Manhattan Island New York, 1886 and through the travels to London, heroine Juliet Foster becomes a wealthy spinster at age 32 at the passing of her Father. Her father Gerald Foster was an intolerable man, with a nasty disposition. Juliet is determined that she would never marry after seeing her father's misery, anger and emotional neglect to his children after the passing of their mother. She never wants to experience losing as he had. She does so want to experience passion. Her plans are to pass as a widow with her friend, Millicent Rhodes and experience lovers throughout England and beyond. But has a minor inconvenience of needing her virginity broken! That's where the hero David Winslow, Marquess of Derrington, Derry, comes in. She's thrilled upon meeting him and responds so passionately to his touch. Juliet is a very independent heroine and strong too in her endeavors. She's very determined to never marry.
David Winslow, Marquess of Derrington, often called Derry, has different plans for Juliet when she blurts out her need to him! He's determined to break the Winslow Curse. As cited in the book, 'Every second generation heir inherits a restless, defiant nature that can only be tamed by a wife as independent and rebellious as he is'. Juliet fits this perfectly. Winslow men who found the “cure” enjoyed long and joyful marriages. Derry has loved and respected his grandfather Hugh and grandmother, Harry, and determined to break this curse. (You will so laugh at the visit from his grandmother Harry). Derry is determined to marry before doing the deed, but Juliet won't have it! With Juliet's stubbornness and escaping to find someone else to do the deed, Derry chases her along and gives in, in hopes she would change her mind and fall in love with him.
At times I laughed out loud, and often smiled reading MISS FOSTER'S FOLLY by Alice Gaines. Juliet is resolved to seduce and drive him to distraction so that he doesn't ask for her hand in marriage. There's some fun quirks between them, such as he can only ask her once a day to marry him. Derry was so good to her, a very ideal hero without being overly alpha! You could feel them both falling in love as the story progressed, but no over unraveling or over analyzing it in the book. It moves along as a fast pace and adventurous. As a full novel in ebook, nothing is lacking with building the relationship with Juliet and Derry. The author gives us a chase between them that each time becomes more intense and passionate then the last. Knowing and understanding more about the Winslow Curse would of made it more important in the story. He does recite a letter from his grandmother, that gives a little insight and requirements of his wife, to his pursuit because of the curse. Its Derry goal, but he falls for her adventurous and fun qualities quite early and throughout the book. It's a totally 'good feel' read, one that will make the reader feel that cheer that the hero and heroine posses. Long after reading this book, the reader will recall scenes and smile in remembrance.
It would be a awesome to re-visit Juliet and Derry with Juliet's friend, Millicent Rhodes, to read more about her own HEA (Happily Ever After). Her background as an orphan with no family, and having been a charity case at Miss Sedgewick’s Academy for Young Ladies, which Juliet also attended, is interesting. Would be great to find out more about her! But either way I so look forward to more from this author Alice Gaines!
David Winslow, Marquess of Derrington, often called Derry, has different plans for Juliet when she blurts out her need to him! He's determined to break the Winslow Curse. As cited in the book, 'Every second generation heir inherits a restless, defiant nature that can only be tamed by a wife as independent and rebellious as he is'. Juliet fits this perfectly. Winslow men who found the “cure” enjoyed long and joyful marriages. Derry has loved and respected his grandfather Hugh and grandmother, Harry, and determined to break this curse. (You will so laugh at the visit from his grandmother Harry). Derry is determined to marry before doing the deed, but Juliet won't have it! With Juliet's stubbornness and escaping to find someone else to do the deed, Derry chases her along and gives in, in hopes she would change her mind and fall in love with him.
At times I laughed out loud, and often smiled reading MISS FOSTER'S FOLLY by Alice Gaines. Juliet is resolved to seduce and drive him to distraction so that he doesn't ask for her hand in marriage. There's some fun quirks between them, such as he can only ask her once a day to marry him. Derry was so good to her, a very ideal hero without being overly alpha! You could feel them both falling in love as the story progressed, but no over unraveling or over analyzing it in the book. It moves along as a fast pace and adventurous. As a full novel in ebook, nothing is lacking with building the relationship with Juliet and Derry. The author gives us a chase between them that each time becomes more intense and passionate then the last. Knowing and understanding more about the Winslow Curse would of made it more important in the story. He does recite a letter from his grandmother, that gives a little insight and requirements of his wife, to his pursuit because of the curse. Its Derry goal, but he falls for her adventurous and fun qualities quite early and throughout the book. It's a totally 'good feel' read, one that will make the reader feel that cheer that the hero and heroine posses. Long after reading this book, the reader will recall scenes and smile in remembrance.
It would be a awesome to re-visit Juliet and Derry with Juliet's friend, Millicent Rhodes, to read more about her own HEA (Happily Ever After). Her background as an orphan with no family, and having been a charity case at Miss Sedgewick’s Academy for Young Ladies, which Juliet also attended, is interesting. Would be great to find out more about her! But either way I so look forward to more from this author Alice Gaines!
December 13, 2011
Astonishing. I occasionally browse publishers' websites and download ebooks on impulse, but this must be the first time I've bought a book by an unfamiliar author and read it in one sitting. It was that good.
A mature American socialite is left a staggering fortune by an eccentric relative and decides to spread her wings, lose her virginity, then go on a scandalous tour of Europe, posing as merry widow. She meets a moody aristocratic British rake who is looking for a headstrong, defiant wife to neutralise his hereditary arrogance and egotism.
The various narrative elements of Miss Foster's Folly are familiar strands of historical romances, but Ms Gaines weaves golden cloth from cliched threads. 'Chemistry' would be a feebly inappropriate description of the interaction between Juliet and David. High-voltage arcs of electricity surging from a Tesla coil is the closest simile I can think of.
And if the rapier-sharp dialogues and catch-me-if-you-can chase scenes weren't enough, when the sexual encounters finally make an appearance, they build upon each other with increasing emotional and physical intensity, lifting the story way above the mainstream mass of plodding Regency romances and turgid contemporary erotica.
I've awarded five stars to many other books I've reviewed on Goodreads, but after reading Miss Foster's Folly I'm tempted to go back and curve some of those downwards. If Spinal Tap can have an amplifier with an '11' volume setting, why can't Goodreads have a 6 or 7 star category?
I do believe I've fallen in love with Ms Gaines. :)
A mature American socialite is left a staggering fortune by an eccentric relative and decides to spread her wings, lose her virginity, then go on a scandalous tour of Europe, posing as merry widow. She meets a moody aristocratic British rake who is looking for a headstrong, defiant wife to neutralise his hereditary arrogance and egotism.
The various narrative elements of Miss Foster's Folly are familiar strands of historical romances, but Ms Gaines weaves golden cloth from cliched threads. 'Chemistry' would be a feebly inappropriate description of the interaction between Juliet and David. High-voltage arcs of electricity surging from a Tesla coil is the closest simile I can think of.
And if the rapier-sharp dialogues and catch-me-if-you-can chase scenes weren't enough, when the sexual encounters finally make an appearance, they build upon each other with increasing emotional and physical intensity, lifting the story way above the mainstream mass of plodding Regency romances and turgid contemporary erotica.
I've awarded five stars to many other books I've reviewed on Goodreads, but after reading Miss Foster's Folly I'm tempted to go back and curve some of those downwards. If Spinal Tap can have an amplifier with an '11' volume setting, why can't Goodreads have a 6 or 7 star category?
I do believe I've fallen in love with Ms Gaines. :)
June 23, 2010
If you've never read anything by Alice Gaines, this is a great place to start. Miss Foster's Folly is a humorous Victiorian romance which deserves the five star reviews it's garnered.
You won't feel the heat from the five flame rating because the writing is so smooth and the story so sweet.
Juliet Foster has just become the wealthiest spinster in town. Her domineering and thoroughly unpleasant father has died and left her millions. She's free to be her own woman and seek a life of adventure.
David Winslow, Marquess of Derrington, is in search of a wife who can break the Winslow Curse. Every second-generation heir inherits a restless, defiant nature that can only be tamed by a mate as independent and rebellious as himself.
And so begins Miss Foster's Folly: a rolicking trip accross the Atlantic through the English countryside. Along the way, the reader meets a gaggle of quirky noblemen and women, including David's grandmother, Lady Harriet Winslow, the Dowager Marchioness of Derrington who redefines the meaning of a little old lady.
You won't feel the heat from the five flame rating because the writing is so smooth and the story so sweet.
Juliet Foster has just become the wealthiest spinster in town. Her domineering and thoroughly unpleasant father has died and left her millions. She's free to be her own woman and seek a life of adventure.
David Winslow, Marquess of Derrington, is in search of a wife who can break the Winslow Curse. Every second-generation heir inherits a restless, defiant nature that can only be tamed by a mate as independent and rebellious as himself.
And so begins Miss Foster's Folly: a rolicking trip accross the Atlantic through the English countryside. Along the way, the reader meets a gaggle of quirky noblemen and women, including David's grandmother, Lady Harriet Winslow, the Dowager Marchioness of Derrington who redefines the meaning of a little old lady.
July 25, 2010
Delightful. Intelligent and funny Victorian romance. Very hot love scenes and many of them.
May 15, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed it! A truly witty read filled with romance and tons of passion. For lovers of erotica I would definity recommend this if you also enjoy the victorian era:D
April 21, 2020
Woman does not trust man to make a good marriage with her. Man "convinces" her that he will by keeping her prisoner and seducing her. Yuck.
June 21, 2024
The characters were fun, well developed, and their dialogue made me laugh. Steamy and loving!
April 13, 2011
This sounded like a cute story when I got it. The heroine had inherited all the family money, and intended to set off on an adventure. Except her adventure sounded really strange. Why would a gently raised rich young woman decide to take a bunch of lovers? This intention just was Not motivated, to my satisfaction, anyway. Then, since she's going to pretend to be a widow, to take all these lovers, she decides she needs to get her virginity out of the way. But the hero of the story--an impoverished nobleman--has decided he needs a rich wife, and the heroine is the one he's set his mind on. She just wants him to relieve her of her inconvenient virginity. She runs away from him to England, he encounters her there, and continues his courtship. Which isn't particularly court-y. He manipulates her, takes her off to his country estate and won't let her leave, etc., etc., and a whole lot of etc. There's a whole lot of nooky going on in the middle of this book, plus a spanking scene which I did not find at all reasonable that she would wind up Liking it. But then, while I realize some might like spanking, it is Totally not my thing, most especially when it begins as punishment. I simply can't conceive that it could somehow turn into something erotic. So that's probably just that it ain't my kink. Mostly, though, I found all the sex really boring. There wasn't enough other stuff (that didn't annoy me) to keep me interested. It was okay. I read the whole book.
November 17, 2010
Sold as straight romance, there was enough detailed nooky here to reclassify it as erotic. Miss Foster, a very wealthy Victorian-era heiress, decides, upon the death of her father, that she wants to travel to Europe (disguised as a scandalous widow to protect her project from her straightlaced relatives)--and sleep her way through England, France, Spain, and Italy (in the order, as you will notice, from lowest to highest, of that country's reputations as lovers). Unfortunately for her plans, her Englishman believes that she is the ONE, the destined wife for him, and therefore wants more than just an affair (and he's not too happy about her travel plans, either, once he finds them out). Sparks and clothing fly as the courtship dance commences. There's an absolutely hilarious scene where the heroine talks about orchids.
January 13, 2011
More of a 4.5 but it's the best thing I've read in a while, so I'm rounding up.
Smart and sensual characters with a definite chemistry carry this book far. It's both passionate and funny, and leaves me excited to explore this author's backlist.
Smart and sensual characters with a definite chemistry carry this book far. It's both passionate and funny, and leaves me excited to explore this author's backlist.
September 30, 2024
This was a random read and a new author for me. It was a surprisingly enjoyable, sexy Victorian-era romance between a rich, headstrong New York heiress and a persistent English Marquis.
Alice Gaines has a nice and easy writing style and I'll be on the lookout for more of her books.
Alice Gaines has a nice and easy writing style and I'll be on the lookout for more of her books.
Currently Reading
May 15, 2020DNF
July 24, 2012
was more like a 1.5, the premise was good, but it dragged on waaaaaaay to much
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews