Rating: 
Summary: Shockingly unkind!
Review: Julia Quinn and company are some of the most marvelous writers gracing bookshelves today, which is why I so keenly felt my disappointment with this book. Lady Whistledown is downright cruel in this collection. Having grown used to Whistledown as the Greek chorus---the voice of wit, reason, charity, chivalry and vidication-- of the various texts in which she appears it was dreadful to see her express rather vindictive and callous sentiments in her columns. Whistledown is both Falstaffian and noble--an extremely memorable character apart from who she is in the texts (for anyone who hasn't read Quinn's Bridegerton series, I won't spoil the surprise but I will advise you to hasten to the 'Net or a local bookstore and buy them all!). She is one of the most delightful characters I've ever come across in the genre, indeed, in literature in general. She sallies forth with an Austenian charm that makes her utterly irresistible. All of which is why Whistledown doesn't play well out of her noble character---please bring out another anthology but with the traditional Whistledown and her splendid prose!
Rating: 
Summary: If only it was longer. . .
Review: Lady Whistledown Strikes Back is for the most part a well written collection of stories. My main quibble is that the stories were not developed as much as I wanted - but that is to be expected in short stories. The first story, Julia Quinn's, begins at Lady Neely's dinner party where Lady N's ruby bracelete gets stolen. This is the thread that twines the stories together as all four of the couples are somehow linked to the bracelet. As such, it is probably best to read the stories in order so as not to spoil the ending. I bought the book mostly because I like Julia Quinn. Her story of a girl falling in love with her dead brother's best friend was entirely believable and surprisingly well developed for such a short story. (I do have to say that I noticed a trend of dead brothers in this anthology, a fact which I find slightly disconcerting) The second story (by Mia Ryan) is the reason I knocked a star off the total. Her story about an earl falling in love with his party planner felt forced and cliched. Every time something implausible happened (approx every 30 seconds) I would groan and bang my hand against the wall. Needless to say by the end my neighbors were quite annoyed with me. Let me give an example from the book: during one of their meetings the heroine tells the earl that she knew from their first meeting that he was a perfect gentleman (never mind that on their first meeting the earl had mistaken her for his paramour - who was conveniently forgotten during the rest of the story - and basically fondled her behind and kissed her). But it wasn't all bad - Lady W's commentary provided some much needed entertainment. The third story was a surprising gem (considering I hadn't read anything of Enoch's before), possibly my favorite. A proper girl falls in love with a man her parents dissaprove of, forcing them to court in secret. Wonderfully written, although I would have liked a little more closure. The final story was of a different formula than the first three (in which rake met girl of dreams and had a miraculous reformation of character). A viscount returns home to his wife, after 12 years away, after she writes demanding an annulment. Very humorous and full of the witty banter one expects from Karen Hawkins. Unlike the other stories there was even a very likeable secondary character, in the form of the heroine's brother. The bottom line: It's a well-written anthology worth having on your shelf, but unless you have plenty of spare time you don't mind wasting skip the second story.
Rating: 
Summary: A delight!
Review: Lady Whistledown truly was a delight. I will not go into the details of each story. They have been described elsewhere. Suffice it to say, they all were a pleasure to read. After not finding many keepers lately, this was one. It was not a surprise. I am a fan of all the authors, with the exception of Mia Ryan. I loved her story in the 1st Lady W., but I didn't like her follow-up book. But, the other three authors are among my favorites and they didn't disappoint here. The characters were all likable, and I felt believable. So, if one was a giggler, I feel she can be forgiven. The stories are entertaining and worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: Sappy Sappy Sappy
Review: Of course that is why we read romance books... sappy is a good thing... But I only gave it 3 stars, because I only liked 2 stories. Suzanne Enoch and Karen Hawkins were the best of the 4 stories. I usually Love Quinn, but feel the same way as the other reviewer felt...she has been writing different lately. I lost interest in her books, after the story about To Sir Philip, With Love. All her other books were soooooooooooooooooo 5 star good. She needs to rest and recharge her heart. I did enjoy the Lady Whistledown's comments..they are always enjoyable and fun to read...He bought a brown hat ...to match his brown suit yadda yadda yadda...too funny..Mya Ryan is not known to me..but the story was OK enough to look into her other work. Not a keeper but worth reading. Wish you could read mine, would be free...anyone in SA Texas, I will happily let them read mine .
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining!
Review: Someone gave me this foo foo book. I never read Regency stories but needed a change after a really serious read. I found it delightful. 4 different authors; 4 stories intertwined and nicely done. My very favorite was the last, where Sophia's husband returns after 12 years. A bit of a stretch, but it could happen. It was a light and delightful read! Everyone lived happily ever after!!!!!! Mission accomplished. :D
Rating:
Summary: Great fun and witty repartee...
Review: This collection was wonderful, even (dare I say) more entertaining than the first. Quinn's Whistledown quips are hysterical, and the three authors working with her meld together perfectly. Though the characters overlap it is never disjointed, and waiting to see how they would work in all the meetings and near-misses becomes half the fun. Highly reccomended for anyone who's looking for a fun, light-hearted historical romance. Because in this book, you get four!
Rating:
Summary: Regency love stories
Review: This is a competent collection of 4 novellas with the romantic historical setting, innocent heroines and the rogues that captivate them and win their hearts. I prefer my love scenes on the more spicy and sizzling side, but this should still please many readers of this genre.
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining!
Review: While I am not usually an anthology reader, I confess that I am addicted to Lady Whistledown, and thus had to read this book. And I was not disappointed, though it seems other reviewers were.
Each story in the anthology centers around a couple that were present at Lady Neely's dinner, at which her ruby bracelet went missing. Each couple is different, as our their love stories circumstances, but all are the sort you want to know more about. What I found most enjoyable was how the different authors wove their stories together. The same scenes are in different stories, from different characters' viewpoints. I found this to make the whole book work as a whole, as it truly became one novel-length story, but about several different couples.
For me, I especially enjoyed the stories by Julia Quinn and Mia Ryan, though I had fun reading all of them. Those two just stuck out a bit to me.
If you are a Regency fan, and enjoy peeks into the world of the era's ton, you should enjoy this rollicking romance anthology!
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