Lord Darlington's Darling (Signet Regency Romance)

Rating:
Summary: an interesting diversion
Review: "Lord Darlington's Darling" is a different kind of Regency romance in that the heroine of this novel does not fit the incredibly beautiful, confident, witty and feisty mold that is so popular right now. Indeed the heroine of this novel, while she is held to be attractive, is so shy and tongue-tied, that she frequently comes across as being a little diffident and unsure of herself. But given that I've been reading quite a few Regencies lately where the heroines (if they had had the good fortune of being born in the 20th century, could have all run for parliament, and won!) were all so incredibly perfect, I was in the mood for shy, demure Abigail Fairchilde, and all the angst she faced during this, her second London Season.

Abigail's older married sister, Melissa, is sponsoring Abigail in what will be her second season. (Abigail had the misfortune to fall ill during her first season), and Melissa has all but picked out Abigail's future husband for her: Lord Fielding, a sober gentleman of some means. And while Abigail is not exactly over the moon about the prospect of marrying Lord Fielding, she obediently allows Melissa to shepherd her into an 'almost' understanding with Lord Fielding. And then Lord Darlington comes to town together with his mother and his rebellious younger sister, Bethany. Lord Darlington and Abigail had met during her first Season, and now they meet again at Almacks. The pair resume their friendship much to Melissa's chagrin and displeasure. And while neither of them will admit it openly, both Abigail and Lord Darlington are tantalized and taken with each other. Could it be perhaps that Lord Darlington rather than Lord Fielding holds the key to Abigail's heart? What then of Melissa's hopes and expectations that Abigail will marry Lord Fielding? Will she allow Abigail to follow the dictates of her heart? All this soon becomes moot when Abigail allows herself to become involved in Bethany's ill-advised romance. Will Lord Darlington be able to forgive Abigail this betrayal?

Lord Darlington has spent the past few years rescuing his family from the jaws of poverty, and he is both soul weary and bitter from the experience, especially given that all the responsibility has set up a barrier between him and the rest of his family. And then his mother brings him unwelcome news that his younger sister, Bethany, has gotten involved with a fortune-hunter while she was at school. Lady Darlington's advice is that they take Bethany to London for the Season, where it is to be hoped that the diversions of a London Season as well as new friends, will take Bethany's mind off her unfortunate 'connection.' The last thing he expected was that he would fall in love himself. However Abigail seems to have a rather serious beau already, and one that her family seems to approve wholeheartedly at that! Can Lord Darlington compete with the sober, serious Lord Fielding?

I couldn't decide whether or not to give this novel 3 stars or 4 -- for while I enjoyed the change in heroine-type, I did think that the plot romance was not so terribly original or different. And the last two chapters, where Abigail acts totally out of character and behaves in a really foolish and stupid way, was really stretching things just to be able to tie things up neatly and tidily. I also found that because of all the intrigue and 'backroom' machinations that revolves around Bethany and her ill-advised romance, the developing romance between Abigail and Lord Darlington sometimes got lost amidst the pages. And this really threw me -- to realise that I had finished the book and yet wouldn't be at all characterise their romance, whether it 'sparkled' or fell flat! My advice then would be to enjoy this romance novel for it's demure heroine and all the angst she goes through as she tries to juggle the expectations of her sister, Lord Darlington, Bethany, with her own desires, and to ry and forget everything else.

Rating:
Summary: an interesting diversion
Review: "Lord Darlington's Darling" is a different kind of Regency romance in that the heroine of this novel does not fit the incredibly beautiful, confident, witty and feisty mold that is so popular right now. Indeed the heroine of this novel, while she is held to be attractive, is so shy and tongue-tied, that she frequently comes across as being a little diffident and unsure of herself. But given that I've been reading quite a few Regencies lately where the heroines (if they had had the good fortune of being born in the 20th century, could have all run for parliament, and won!) were all so incredibly perfect, I was in the mood for shy, demure Abigail Fairchilde, and all the angst she faced during this, her second London Season.

Abigail's older married sister, Melissa, is sponsoring Abigail in what will be her second season. (Abigail had the misfortune to fall ill during her first season), and Melissa has all but picked out Abigail's future husband for her: Lord Fielding, a sober gentleman of some means. And while Abigail is not exactly over the moon about the prospect of marrying Lord Fielding, she obediently allows Melissa to shepherd her into an 'almost' understanding with Lord Fielding. And then Lord Darlington comes to town together with his mother and his rebellious younger sister, Bethany. Lord Darlington and Abigail had met during her first Season, and now they meet again at Almacks. The pair resume their friendship much to Melissa's chagrin and displeasure. And while neither of them will admit it openly, both Abigail and Lord Darlington are tantalized and taken with each other. Could it be perhaps that Lord Darlington rather than Lord Fielding holds the key to Abigail's heart? What then of Melissa's hopes and expectations that Abigail will marry Lord Fielding? Will she allow Abigail to follow the dictates of her heart? All this soon becomes moot when Abigail allows herself to become involved in Bethany's ill-advised romance. Will Lord Darlington be able to forgive Abigail this betrayal?

Lord Darlington has spent the past few years rescuing his family from the jaws of poverty, and he is both soul weary and bitter from the experience, especially given that all the responsibility has set up a barrier between him and the rest of his family. And then his mother brings him unwelcome news that his younger sister, Bethany, has gotten involved with a fortune-hunter while she was at school. Lady Darlington's advice is that they take Bethany to London for the Season, where it is to be hoped that the diversions of a London Season as well as new friends, will take Bethany's mind off her unfortunate 'connection.' The last thing he expected was that he would fall in love himself. However Abigail seems to have a rather serious beau already, and one that her family seems to approve wholeheartedly at that! Can Lord Darlington compete with the sober, serious Lord Fielding?

I couldn't decide whether or not to give this novel 3 stars or 4 -- for while I enjoyed the change in heroine-type, I did think that the plot romance was not so terribly original or different. And the last two chapters, where Abigail acts totally out of character and behaves in a really foolish and stupid way, was really stretching things just to be able to tie things up neatly and tidily. I also found that because of all the intrigue and 'backroom' machinations that revolves around Bethany and her ill-advised romance, the developing romance between Abigail and Lord Darlington sometimes got lost amidst the pages. And this really threw me -- to realise that I had finished the book and yet wouldn't be at all characterise their romance, whether it 'sparkled' or fell flat! My advice then would be to enjoy this romance novel for it's demure heroine and all the angst she goes through as she tries to juggle the expectations of her sister, Lord Darlington, Bethany, with her own desires, and to ry and forget everything else.

Rating:
Summary: B-O-R-I-N-G!
Review: This book is so boring it's hard to stick with it to the end. I have a feeling the person who wrote the blurb on the back cover didn't manage it, because it doesn't characterize the plot at all well.

It's not the fact that neither the hero nor the heroine is described as drop-dead gorgeous or hilariously witty or fabulously rich. One does get weary of reading about characters that are so wonderful in every way.

But there doesn't seem to be any sizzle in this romance. I mean, what is it about the heroine that takes the hero's fancy? He dances with her a couple of times and thinks she's a pleasant girl. Same with her. She likes him better than her first suitor, but you don't see any strong emotion from her.

But she doesn't seem hopelessly silly until she tries to rescue the hero's sister from a fortune hunter. I mean, if she knows the guy is a fortune hunter and not seriously attached to the girl, why doesn't it occur to her that SHE could be a target as well?

And that's another thing: why would a fortune hunter latch onto a girl from a family only recently rescued from poverty???

Another wallbanger. Save your money.