Now that Harry Hawthorne has inherited his father's title and estate, he feels it's high time he takes a wife. He chooses his childhood pal, Olivia Darby, because she's a mild-mannered girl who won't stand in the way of his pursuit of pleasure. Olivia feels it's too soon to marry and wants to have a London Season before she settles down. Harry isn't happy with that idea but he can't override her decision. Harry's younger sister, Georgina wants to marry the local vicar, but Harry, sensing this his sister is in the throes of a school girl crush, decides she should go to London with Olivia and have a Season. Olivia's mother accompanies the girls to London while Harry avoids the social scene and oggles opera dancers. Harry's rival for a popular actress, Lord Mannerly, seeks revenge for his hurt pride and decides to make Olivia his prey. Olivia finds Mannerly charming and insists on seeing him though Harry forbids it. Harry feels he has no choice but to masquerade as his own grandmother in order to properly chaperon Olivia! Harry's sister isn't fooled and Lord Mannerly is suspicious but Olivia misses the absent Harry and draws closer to Mannerly. Harry's charade causes some gossip belowstairs and the faux Dowager attracts the attentions of an old flame. This story has all the makings of a screwball comedy but for me, it fell flat. There wasn't any chemistry between Harry and Olivia and Harry was boring and rude. I couldn't understand their attraction to one another and the reader is only told how Olivia used to worship Harry when they were children. Their feelings seem to come out of nowhere. The relationship between Mannerly and Georgina showed promise but the dialogue wasn't quite witty enough to charm me. Overall, this book failed to meet expectations and I was sadly disappointed.
This is a Regency Romance in imitation of Georgette Heyer, and Cobb South gets a second star from me because she does the language quite well (toning down Heyer's penchant for overdone period slang, but keeping the voice from feeling modern).I can also say that the book begins promisingly. Unfortunately, it soon turns ridiculous and--a far worse crime for this brand of novel--unappealing. By the time the hero consents to let his sister be courted by the man who just tried to blackmail the hero's
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arry Hawthorne and Olivia Darby have been expected to marry by their families since they were children, but Harry's proposal is somewhat lackluster. Olivia, who has been in love with Harry for years, is distressed enough by this to insist on a Season, hoping to make him jealous. It works. Harry disguises himself as his own grandmother in order to keep a closer eye on Olivia, which predictably makes it difficult for him to court her and unpredictably convinces his servants that his grandmother is keeping at least two of his visitors as boytoys.This sounded like it would make for a great farce, but South doesn't have the lightness of touch or the quickness of pacing to pull it off.
—Mely
