What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

Animating Maria : School for Manners #5 -- Regency Romance
The Tribbles latest charge is Maria Kendall, the beautiful daughter of vulgar "mushrooms" from Bath. Maria's problem is that she dreams too much and no amount of beating from her parents will make her accept a suitor they've chosen. On the way to London, Maria runs afoul of the Duke of Berham and she instantly vows revenge. He is cool and distant and not roused to passion at all. However, when his mother finds out about her son's encounter with Maria, she decides to take matters into her own hands and arrange a marriage between the two. Maria and the Duke cross swords, then bond over reforming slums but the course of true love ne'er did run smooth! Meanwhile, Miss Amy and Miss Effy are having problems of their own as they try to attract the attentions of two eligible gentlemen and deal with menopause. This novel has a more somber tone than the others. I felt very sad for the characters while reading it. The Tribbles weren't as hilarious as usual but Amy has an outstanding adventure and is funny as always. I liked the romance in this book a little better than the previous ones because the hero and heroine are less driven by lust and get to know each other.

 

Marrying Harriet: School for Manners #5 -- Regency Romance

In this last book of the School for Manners series, the Tribbles face their greatest challenge yet with Harriet Brown, the recently orphaned daughter of a Methodist minister. Harriet is sent by her aunt to London for The Season in hopes of catching a husband. Harriet complies because she realizes without money or accomplishments, she doesn't have a choice. However, Harriet sees the trip as an opportunity to do good works. She catches the eye of the rake Lord Charles Marsham and enlists his help to sort out the Tribble sisters' love lives. Meanwhile, the Tribbles have made deadly enemies who desire revenge! This book is closer in tone to the previous volume, so it isn't as funny but there are some extremely funny moments. Again, the heroine and the suitor get to know each other, rather than succumb to passion. Overall, I enjoyed the series as lighthearted, fun Regency era reads. The romance in the first 4 novels was rather lacking and toed the line between sweet and racy but not too bad. The series ends predictably but getting there is the fun part!

Lady Fortescue Steps Out: The Poor Relation #1 -- Regency Romance  

Lady Fortescue is an elderly poor relation, forced to live on a pittance and visits to her wealthy relations. After she's caught stealing candlesticks from the home of her nephew, the wealthy and haughty Duke of Rowcester, she feels ashamed of her situation and in absolute despair until she meets Col. Sandhurst, another elderly poor relation. The two decide to pool their resouces and invite other poor relations to stay. Soon they turn their home into a fashionable family hotel, The Poor Relation. The hotel becomes a grand success with the help of the shady Sir Philip. The Duke of Rowcester comes flying down to London convinced his aunt is senile and determined to shut down the hotel, until he sees the beautiful chef, Miss Harriet James, a young lady for whom he once had feelings for until she disappeared out of his life. The plot is predictable and not all together exciting. The main characters are lying theives and entirely unlikeable. The Duke is haughty and uncaring and unfeeling despite his feelings for Harriet. I never really got a sense of why the romantic leads liked each other and as with The School of Manners, the romance happens too quickly and improbably. This was not one of my favorites.

Emily Goes to Exeter: The Traveling Matchmaker #1 by Marion Chesney -- Regency Romance

(This story is set in 1800, so not quite the Regency)

For nearly her whole life, Miss Hannah Pym has faithfully served the same employer. She has achieved her life long dream of becoming a housekeeper, however, she longs for something more - an adventure on one of the new fangled "flying machines" (stage coaches). When her employer dies and leaves her a legacy, his brother takes an interest in Hannah and encourages her to fulfill her dream. Hannah sets off on the stage and meets several eccentric characters along the way. Hannah and the other travelers become stranded at an inn during a snowstorm and most of the adventure takes place there. Hannah takes charge running the inn as well as playing matchmaker to some of her fellow passengers. This story is one of Chesney's better ones. The romance develops plausibly and nicely. I really like Miss Pym and can't wait to read more of her matchmaking adventures!