Category: Regency Era (1811-1820)

The Regency in Great Britain was a period when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son ruled as his proxy as Prince Regent. On the death of George III in 1820, the Prince Regent became George IV. The term Regency can refer to various stretches of time; some are longer than the decade of the formal Regency which lasted from 1811–1820.
Preceded by: Georgian era
Followed by: Victorian era
Monarch: George III, George IV, William IV

The Infamous Duchess by Sophie Barnes

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

The Infamous Duchess (Diamonds in the Rough, #4)The Infamous Duchess by Sophie Barnes

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Diamonds In The Rough #4
Publication Date: 3/26/19
Number of Pages: 384

Complex and compelling characters, one of the best romances I’ve read in a while, and a really nasty villain make up this truly delightful story. The writing is excellent, the plot is tight and well executed. This book contains everything you could want, including some lovely insights into our next hero and heroine.

Viola Cartwright, Duchess of Tremaine is a wonderfully complex character who draws you to her and makes you admire her – and when you learn her whole history, you’ll admire her even more. Viola’s aging husband died one day after their wedding and she’s been labeled as a money-hungry, social climbing woman who conned the duke into changing his will and leaving his unentailed fortune to her. None of that is true, but you’ll have to read the book to see what is true. Viola has taken that fortune and over the last two years, she has created the best hospital in London – the best doctors, the highest success rates for cures, and it is all free. Against all of society’s rules, she not only runs the hospital, but she also participates in patient treatments. She also has no intention of ever marrying again.

You will absolutely fall in love with Henry Lowell from the first moment you meet him – in Viola’s hospital with his brother, Florian, removing a bullet from a duel. When Henry first begins to come around, he notices an angel – the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen – standing at the window with the sunlight glowing around her. Who is that angel? He fully intends to find out! Henry soon comes to regret the reputation he’s built for himself because his angel completely believes it and doesn’t want anything to do with him. Henry purposefully spread the rumors and built that reputation in order to avoid all of the matchmaking mama’s until he was ready to find a wife. Now, that reputation has come to haunt him!

Henry keeps arranging, teasing, harassing and requesting Viola to spend time with him in the hospital so that he can get to know her – and she can get to know him. Henry soon learns that he has to be very slow and very, very patient if he wants to win Viola – and he certainly does want to win her. He does the sweetest and most caring things, but she’s still very skittish.

When Robert, the new Duke of Tremaine brings a suit against Viola, contesting his father’s will, Henry does all he can to help Viola. Secrets are exposed and Henry and Viola draw closer. It is so very touching. You’ll just need to read the book to see all of the exciting parts of this lovely, lovely read.

I highly recommend this book – and can’t wait for the next one. The ONLY thing that would have made it better would have been for something that wasn’t nice to happen to Barrister Hayes and Judge Atkins – just sayin’. I also love the setup for the next book with Carlton Gutherie and Lady Regina Berkly – I can hardly wait!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Lady’s Virtue by A.S. Fenichel

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)2 Comments

A Lady's Virtue (Everton Domestic Society, #3)A Lady’s Virtue by A.S. Fenichel

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Everton Domestic Society #3
Publication Date: 3/19/19
# of Pages: 208

This is an enjoyable addition to the Everton Domestic Society series. Everton is an employment agency of sorts. They provide ladies to perform tasks such as introducing a debutant to society, planning events, matchmaking, etc. for their clients. All of the proprieties are met and the ladies are provided with chaperones, transportation, etc. during the performance of their tasks. They also live at Everton House.

Sylvia Dowder had spent five years of her life being courted by and betrothed to Hunter Gautier. A month before her wedding, Hunter inherited the title of Viscount March and promptly ended the betrothal – because Sylvia wasn’t lofty enough in society to be a Viscountess. Between that punch to the gut and her mother’s constant belittlement and preaching about the perfidies of the male of the species, Sylvia knew she couldn’t/wouldn’t marry. She also decided that she couldn’t live with her mother’s constant belittlement any longer and applied to become an Everton Lady.

Anthony Braighton was rocking along in his life quite happily until his much-loved cousin died and Anthony inherited the title – Earl of Grafton. Tony didn’t want to be an earl and he certainly doesn’t want to marry as his mother is constantly prodding him to do. He can’t do anything about the title, but he can show his mother that he is perfectly capable of meeting his obligations without marrying. He’ll just hire an Everton Lady to plan several social events and at their successful completion, his mother will understand that he doesn’t need a wife.

There is an immediate attraction between Tony and his Everton Lady, Sylvia. However, neither of them want to admit it – and neither wants to act on it. Tony is quicker to ‘give in’ and admit he wants Sylvia than she is. The road to gain her trust is not an easy one – and until about the last chapter in the book you don’t see how they are going to get to their HEA.

I never did come to understand Tony’s aversion to marriage. His parents had a happy and loving marriage as does his sister and a number of his friends. I can understand any young man not wanting to marry but Tony was adamant – because he had things he wanted to do. I did understand Sylvia’s aversion. She’d suffered what I guess would be mental abuse her entire life. She was constantly told how bad men were, how they used women, etc. – and then with her engagement being broken as it was, she was totally convinced.

I’m not sure what it is with authors and alliteration in character names, but this book is another example – we have Sylvia, Serena, and Sophia. For this reader, that is usually a distraction because I’m constantly having to stop and remember which character is which. For some reason, that wasn’t an issue this time.

While I enjoyed the read, there were some inaccuracies and the use of more modern words – like okay. Tony talks about not accepting the title, giving up the title, etc. and that just wasn’t possible. The only way to get rid of the title was to die or be a traitor. Even the King couldn’t take the title away.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.