Review: A far better book than ratings indicate, IMO, so try the sample!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 14, 2013
I loved reading this! Why? First, this is a gracefully-executed Regency romance with a lot of heart and subtle, satirical wit. Second, great, real hero and heroine, two people dealing with their challenges with fortitude and surprising humor. Third, believable chemistry. They spend time together and talk to each other like adults. A refreshing change of pace from what I've been reading lately. Finally, the author assumes I'm not an idiot and never contrives petty squabbles to stand in for genuine conflict. Much appreciated.Edward's a big, battle-scarred cavalry captain visiting a baronet's cold, dreary Northamptonshire estate to return the personal effects of the man's dead son, his dear friend, who died at Waterloo. Mattie's the baronet's large, spinster niece. She's indigent and has lived on his stinting charity for years, yet she still manages to have a quiet, droll sense of humor about her life. She is also pursuing her dream of independence by writing popular Fanny Hill-style erotic literature on the sly as "Cherie."The problem: when an un-mailed letter with a serial installment by notorious "Cherie" turns up in a bundle of lost letters, the uptight, Fordyce-sermon-loving baronet realizes the author must live nearby and he is hell bent on driving this degenerate from the neighborhood. The hero makes a rash promise to learn the identity of "Cherie" for the frail, bereft baronet's sake. While Ned's trying to track Cherie down, Mattie learns she must write one more chapter, depicting in titillating detail how Cherie lost her virginity, in order to sell her lubricious memoir and fund her plan to own a seaside boarding house. But Mattie has her maidenhead and can't crib details of the experience from Fanny Hill or a diary she's found...Funny thing happens, Ned and Mattie are falling in love with one another over novels, smuggled gingerbread and conversation, when she asks him to help her out of her hymen and things get complicated.The novel's setting is more typical of Jane Austen's day during the Regency (than what's depicted in today's typical Regency novels). It takes place in the countryside, and in the dreary house of a miserly, absurdly sanctimonious local gentry who grudgingly fulfills his duty but denies his poor, spinster relation any real opportunity for happiness in life. There are sly references to Austen's works because the characters can only discuss/read novels surreptitiously in the dour baronet's bibles-and-sermons-only house. Also akin to JA's work, is biting social satire, mocked here is uptight religiosity. Oh, the boiled food, eaten in silence for the sake of digestion, and other dour household customs are well lampooned. And quite funny. But don't get me wrong, this is not a flimsy romp. The realities of war and its aftermath are depicted in a way that packs a wallop, too. But that added to my appreciation of the story's depth and the author's skill.The book's low-key humor assumes the reader's intelligence. (Thank you.) The writing is deft, wry and, when called for, genuinely affecting (but never ponderous). I read it in one gulp, I couldn't bring myself to put it down.(Oh, and no, I don't know this person. No, I have no reason to fabricate or inflate my enthusiasm for this title. When you read this, you'll see what I mean. and no, I am no sock puppet. Read my thoughts on other titles to see this kitty's also got claws. Or at least bad temper due to hairballs.)If you find this intriguing, I also highly recommend The Earl's Dilemma, by Emily May, the author's other pen name. DELIGHTFUL.