Rating: 
Summary: Lord Stanhope can propose to me anytime!
Review: Finally, a book where the bluestocking heroine really IS a blue stocking--and backs it up with LOTS of quotes from the hideous tomes she is always reading. And Stanhope--what a stud! If only in real life there were guys like him.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Regency
Review: I feel that Jessica Benson has crafted rather than written this book. Although in the dedication she mentions having access to the collected works of Georgette Heyer and the OED this book you are quite aware that you are not reading a rehashed Georgette Heyer. The quality of writing is exceptionally good, especially for a first novel, there is the same sense of fun as some of the light hearted Georgette Heyers. The characters and conversations breathe life and are an essential part of the book. The Reverend Adolphus Ashton for example ?Truly inspirational, as usual,? applauded Lady Lyttworth,??Thank the Lord! Thank your betters! Thank the fourteen-hour workday! For they keep you from sin.? The Calista is very much a true bluestocking. I very much enjoyed the way that both Lord Stanhope and Calista narrowly manage to avoid one matrimonial trap after another. Some well intentioned others not quite so well intentioned. I was quite certain the author was going to come unstuck a number of times but she deftly managed to extract her characters, often in a very amusing manner. This really is Regency Romance at its best. From the back of the Zebra paperback edition? THE TON?S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR... A true gentleman and handsome too, Lord Stanhope was the toast of the ton But at the height of the Season he was rusticating to Sussex. Calista Ashton, an ?elderly dried up spinster,? had become the subject of a wager placed by his own foppish cousin. Now it was up to Stanhope to rescue the innocent Calista. THE VICAR?S MOST UNMARRIAGEABLE SISTER... The vicar?s sister at four and twenty didn?t care a fig for fashion?or amour. Instead, Calista Ashton loved racing fine steeds, reading scandalous books, and embracing an independent life. Now a group of visiting London bachelors has arrived at a neighboring estate. And much to Galista?s dismay, she soon finds herself being courted by not one, but two noblemen! Unused to the ton?s flirtations her head was turned by the dashing Lord Stanhope who kissed divinely Kissed? What was happening amid the lush country meadows ? sweet seduction... or true love? ?Devilish good fun. LORD STANHOPE?S PROPOSAL is regency romance at its best.? ?Julia Quinn, author of The Duke and I
Rating:
Summary: Classic Regency
Review: I feel that Jessica Benson has crafted rather than written this book. Although in the dedication she mentions having access to the collected works of Georgette Heyer and the OED this book you are quite aware that you are not reading a rehashed Georgette Heyer. The quality of writing is exceptionally good, especially for a first novel, there is the same sense of fun as some of the light hearted Georgette Heyers. The characters and conversations breathe life and are an essential part of the book. The Reverend Adolphus Ashton for example "Truly inspirational, as usual," applauded Lady Lyttworth,..."Thank the Lord! Thank your betters! Thank the fourteen-hour workday! For they keep you from sin." The Calista is very much a true bluestocking. I very much enjoyed the way that both Lord Stanhope and Calista narrowly manage to avoid one matrimonial trap after another. Some well intentioned others not quite so well intentioned. I was quite certain the author was going to come unstuck a number of times but she deftly managed to extract her characters, often in a very amusing manner. This really is Regency Romance at its best. From the back of the Zebra paperback edition... THE TON'S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR... A true gentleman and handsome too, Lord Stanhope was the toast of the ton But at the height of the Season he was rusticating to Sussex. Calista Ashton, an "elderly dried up spinster," had become the subject of a wager placed by his own foppish cousin. Now it was up to Stanhope to rescue the innocent Calista. THE VICAR'S MOST UNMARRIAGEABLE SISTER... The vicar's sister at four and twenty didn't care a fig for fashion-or amour. Instead, Calista Ashton loved racing fine steeds, reading scandalous books, and embracing an independent life. Now a group of visiting London bachelors has arrived at a neighboring estate. And much to Galista's dismay, she soon finds herself being courted by not one, but two noblemen! Unused to the ton's flirtations her head was turned by the dashing Lord Stanhope who kissed divinely Kissed? What was happening amid the lush country meadows - sweet seduction... or true love? "Devilish good fun. LORD STANHOPE'S PROPOSAL is regency romance at its best." -Julia Quinn, author of The Duke and I
Rating:
Summary: Regency Romance at its best
Review: I found this book a delightful surprise - well drawn characters, good story lines and lots of fun. I found myself laughing out loud at the antics and the conversations. Something I haven't done since Georgette Heyer. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Ms Benson.
Rating:
Summary: Such a delight!
Review: I found this book utterly charming. As I got further into the book and the plot thickened, and I do mean thickened - with so many delightful subplots - I found that I carried the book with me everywhere to steal a few more reading minutes at any oppportunity. The dialog is so good that as times I chuckled out loud. At one point there is a potential disaster about to befall Lord Stanhope, which could destroy his ability to pursue Miss Ashton further and I found myself gasping and giggling as I realized how it was going to play out in his favor. I highly recommend this book. It's lots of fun and I was so sorry when it ended.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Regency I Have Ever Read
Review: I have been reading regencies for years, and as far as category regencies go - this is without question the best one ever written. I don't give 5 stars very easily, but if I could I would give this one 10. This book is actually on a par with some of the best Georgette Heyer - no, I am not exaggerating! Let's start with our heroine, Calista. She is perfect - a genuine bluestocking, who purposely dresses down, spends her time doing good works, is marvelously intelligent, and yet has a wonderfully witty, dry sense of humor, even when it comes to herself! No silly, stupid snits and juvenile quarrels, no idiotically outraged miffs - she is wonderful. On to our hero, Stanhope. He is perfect - handsome, intelligent, a Corinthian, rich, titled, a sense of humor that matches Calista's, and the discernment to recognize in Calista the embodiment of his dreams. The secondary characters are brilliantly written, and the plot is intricately woven and amazingly fresh. I've purchased about twenty Lord Stanhope's Proposals for friends and family, and they all loved it. Please buy this book. I absolutely guarantee you will not regret it. My only regret is that I can't read it for the first time, but it's on my keeper shelf, and I do re-read it every couple months and still enjoy it every time.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Regency I Have Ever Read
Review: I have been reading regencies for years, and as far as category regencies go - this is without question the best one ever written. I don't give 5 stars very easily, but if I could I would give this one 10. This book is actually on a par with some of the best Georgette Heyer - no, I am not exaggerating! Let's start with our heroine, Calista. She is perfect - a genuine bluestocking, who purposely dresses down, spends her time doing good works, is marvelously intelligent, and yet has a wonderfully witty, dry sense of humor, even when it comes to herself! No silly, stupid snits and juvenile quarrels, no idiotically outraged miffs - she is wonderful. On to our hero, Stanhope. He is perfect - handsome, intelligent, a Corinthian, rich, titled, a sense of humor that matches Calista's, and the discernment to recognize in Calista the embodiment of his dreams. The secondary characters are brilliantly written, and the plot is intricately woven and amazingly fresh. I've purchased about twenty Lord Stanhope's Proposals for friends and family, and they all loved it. Please buy this book. I absolutely guarantee you will not regret it. My only regret is that I can't read it for the first time, but it's on my keeper shelf, and I do re-read it every couple months and still enjoy it every time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Regency Read!
Review: I have read tons of Regencies and have to say that Jessica Benson's Lord Stanhope's Proposal was a joy. Right from the clever prologue, I almost felt as if I were reading a Georgette Heyer. Miss Benson, like Heyer, assembled the most vivid cast of characters to people her novel, somehow having them all play their parts to bring the book to its satisfying ending. Stanhope was a dream and Calista a very appealing heroine. If you like Regencies, you'll LOVE Lord Stanhope's Proposal.
Rating:
Summary: Great Regency Read!
Review: I have read tons of Regencies and have to say that Jessica Benson's Lord Stanhope's Proposal was a joy. Right from the clever prologue, I almost felt as if I were reading a Georgette Heyer. Miss Benson, like Heyer, assembled the most vivid cast of characters to people her novel, somehow having them all play their parts to bring the book to its satisfying ending. Stanhope was a dream and Calista a very appealing heroine. If you like Regencies, you'll LOVE Lord Stanhope's Proposal.
Rating:
Summary: La, This was a good one!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and so will you. It's witty, quick paced, and just plain fun to read. If you've read lots of Regency novels (and I have) then you'll compare this to Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer. I'm looking forward to more books from Ms. Benson.
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